T HE 



LIFE AND TIMES 



OF 



THE REV. JESSE LEE 



LEJR^Q^ M. LEE, D.D 



"If thou would'st reap in love. 
First sow in holy fear : 
So life a winter's morn may prove 
To a bright endless year." — Keble. 

" In all thy ways acknowledge Him; and He shall direc thy paths."— -Pro vesbs 



SOUTHERN METHODIST PUBLISHING HOUSE. 
1860. 




Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year of our Lord 1848, by 
JOHN EARLY, 
in ttie Clerk's Office of the Eastern District of Virginia. 



By iguana* • 

JUL 20 1929 



American University 



HIS SURVIVING FRIENDS, 

AND HIS SONS AND SUCCESSORS IN THE MINISTRY 

OF METHODISM IN THE UNITED STATES, 

IKE FOLLOWING NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE, ZEAL, AND DEVOHOF 

OF ONE OF THE FATHERS 

OF THE AMERICAN METHODIST CHURCH, 
IS 

RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED. 



PREFACE. 



In offering to public consideration the biography of one who has been 
long dead, the author is aware that a reason for such a proceeding may- 
be well demanded. He has no hesitation in meeting an expectation so 
obriously just and proper. But in obeying such a behest, fidelity to 
truth involves him in a position of great delicacy, and may expose him 
to the suspicion of seeking to honour the dead at the expense of the 
living. Conscious, however, of aiming only at the truth of history, and 
of independence of all selfish considerations, he enters upon his task 
without reluctance, and will wait the issue of his facts without either 
anxiety or fear. 

The individual, a narrative of whose life is recorded in the following 
pages, died in 1816, leaving, as a legacy to the Church, an example 
rich in Christian excellence, and replete with memorials of self-sacri- 
fice and devotedness. In 3823, a Memoir of his Life was published by 
one of his contemporaries. This work was not only unsatisfying to the 
immediate friends and relatives of Mr. Lee, but it disappointed the just 
expectations of the Church. It was essentially defective as a por- 
traiture of his character, and left a great gulf of discrepancy between 
his public fame as a distinguished and successful minister, and the 
recorded narrative of his labours. No one familiar with his reputation 
in the Church could find anything either to authorize or justify it in hii 



Vi PREFACE. 

Memoirs. There were causes, however, that may very safely be plead 
in extenuation of this complaint, that, in justice to the author of the 
Memoir, ought to be stated. Mr. Lee left a very copious Journal of hia 
life and ministerial labours. These were given to the Virginia Confe-* 
rence. and by them placed in the hands of a committee, to be prepared 
for publication. The committee suffered several years to pass without 
completing, or. it is believed, even commencing the duty devolved upon 
them. In the mean time the Church was demanding the work of the 
Conference; and the Conference was urging the committee to its duty. 
A session was nigh at hand, when a report was to be made on the sub- 
ject. Under these circumstances the MSS. were placed in the hands 
of one of the committee by his colleagues, with instructions to com- 
plete the work without delay. This only left time for compilation. In 
view of these facts the imperfection of the work, without any dispa- 
ragement of its author, might have been predicted. It was the family 
dissatisfaction occasioned by what was deemed the material defective- 
ness of the work in setting forth the true character of Mr. Lee, that 
led the present writer, very soon after his entrance into the ministry in 
1828. to enter upon a course of preparation for what he hoped to make 
a more complete and characteristic portraiture of his venerated rela- 
tive. At a subsequent period, this meditation of his heart was con- 
firmed on reading the meagre sketch and £: faint praise" awarded to 
'•'the Apostle of Methodism in New England/'* by the author of c: A 
History of the "Methodist Episcopal Church.* 7 

But in prosecution of the self-imposed task he has met with difficul- 
ties; the anticipation of which would have deterred him from the under- 
taking. In the burning of the Methodist Book Room, in New York, in 
1336, the MSS. of Mr. Lee. which had been deposited there for safe 
keeping, were entirely destroyed. This loss was severely felt at every 
stage in the preparation of the work. It may have been only partially 
surmounted in a resort to the selections of his former biographer, and 
to the facts and incidents of contemporaneous history. If. after all. 
any surviving friend of Mr. Lee should discover a defect in the por- 
traiture of his character • or any, who have formed their judgment of 
him from the numerous anecdotes, yet extant and so often repeated, of 



PREFACE. Vll 

his wil and humour, should complain of their absence from the work : 
it is the solace of the author, that he can say to the former, he has 
"done what he could" to give perfection to his picture, after calling 
upon them in vain for assistance to enlarge, enliven, and colour it with 
a life-likeness ; and to the latter, that Mr. Lee had higher excellencies 
than wit. and holier instincts than mirth. Indeed, wit and mirth, which 
were but the sparkle of a superior mind and a cheerful heart, were 
only partial elements of a nature highly endowed and exquisitely 
adjusted for the work to which Providence assigned him. He was 
occasionally witty ; but he was habitually pious and prayerful. It is a 
humiliation, but it proves the waywardness of humanity, that his 
" readiness at repartee" is treasured and magnified ; while his humble 
devotion and earnest fidelity to God and man, are, if not altogether for- 
gotten, not very highly esteemed, or remembered as a less popular 
peculiarity. It is to retrieve this feature of his character, and repro- 
duce, as nearly as practicable, the living, active, pious man, that these 
proofs of his faith and love have been collected, and brought to the 
consideration of the Church. 

The times in which Mr. Lee lived and laboured were full of interest. 
Methodism was then in its forming state. So also was society. They 
were adapted to each other. Both were young, ardent, and enter- 
prising ; "rejoicing like strong men to run a race." The downfall 
of the English hierarchy, civil and religious, offered to both a career 
refulgent with righteousness and boundless as eternity. They entered 
it, and the race was for immortality. Let the civil historian describe 
the brilliant course our country has run in giving to Freedom a home. 
Ours is the less popular, but not less valuable or useful duty of record- 
ing the career of a Church foremost in giving liberty to conscience, and 
in carrying the joys of salvation to the weary and heavy-laden. The 
student of Methodist history must recur to the times comprehended in 
the following narrative, to learn the elements of its organization. He 
will never be able to analyze, explain, and defend the principles of the 
compact and s trong syste m of Methodism, without familiarity with the 
opinions of the Fathers of the American Church, and the events of her 
earlier history. A large measure of this kind of information, not before 



Yin 



PREFACE. 



given in detail, will be found in the present volume. It was one lead- 
ing object of the undertaking to bring to light facts and principles only 
partially known and imperfectly understood by the general reader. 
For his success in this desire of his heart his work must speak. He 
refers to it with a sincere and confiding trust that its biography may 
enliven the reader's religious experience, and its history augment his 
information and strengthen his confidence in the heaven-directed mis- 
sion of Methodism. In these results he will find his first and holiest 
earthly reward. 

Richmond, Va., March 1848. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

FROM HIS BIRTH IN 1758, TO HIS CONVERSION IN 1773. 

Introduction — Civil History — Washington — Ecclesiastical History — Law of 
Propagation — Luther — Wesley — Methodism identical with Religion — Re- 
mark of Robert Hall — Co-laborers and Successors of Wesley — Life of Mr. 
Lee interwoven with early American Methodism — Birth of Lee — Youth — 
Education — Anecdote — Note — Morals — Colonial Church Service — Influence 
of Catechetical Instruction — Singing — Character and Influence of it — State 
of Religion in Virginia — Character of the Clergy — Rev. D. Jarratt — Family 
of Mr. Lee — Introduction of Religion into it — Happy Results upon Domestic 
Relations — Parental Decision — Unites with the Methodists — Awakening and 
Conversion of Mr. Lee — Great Spiritual Distress — Revival of Religion — Re- 
ligious Ignorance of the People— Note — Mr. Jarratt' s mode of Teaching the 
People — Rev. Mr. McJtobert — Introduction of Methodism into Virginia. 15 



CHAPTER II. 

FROM HIS CONVERSION IN 1773, TO HIS ENTRANCE INTO THE MINISTRY 

IN 1779. 

Religious Condition of England— Wesley— Rise of Methodism— Providential 
Introduction of it into America— Robert Williams— Visits Norfolk, Va.— Mr. 
Pillmore visits Southern States— Controversy with a Clergyman in Norfolk- 
Great Wickedness of the People— Second Visit of Mr. Williams— Preaches 
in the Street— Effect on the Hearers— Visits Petersburg— Forms a Circuit- 
House of Mr. Lee opened for Preaching— Great Revival in 1774-5— Co-ope- 
ration and usefulness of Mr. Jarratt— Effects of the Revival upon the Reli- 
gious Character of Mr. Lee— Anxiety to do Good— First Public Exhortation- 
Death of R. Williams— His Character and Usefulness— Removal of Mr. Lee 
from his Father's House— Appointed Class-Leader — Habits of Study — 
Preaches his First Sermon in 1779— Supplies the Place of J. Dickens— What 

\Constitutes a Call to the Ministry— Increase of Methodism in Virginia. 42 



X 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER III. 

FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF HIS MINISTRY IN 1779, TO HIS ENTRANCE 
INTO THE TRAVELLING CONNEXION IN 1783. 

War of the Revolution — English Preachers — Public Distrust of them — Return 
of several to England — Maltreatment of Messrs. Hartley and Garrett son — 
Silence of Mr. Asbury — Effects of these things upon the Societies — Without 
Pastors and Ordinances — Controversy respecting Ordinances — General view 
of the Question — Origin of the Question in 1777 — Postponed in Conference 
of 1778 — Conference at Broken Back Church in 1779 — Full account of the 
Proceedings of this Conference — Ordination of Ministers — Grounds of its 

. justification — Protest of the Conference in Baltimore — Sends a Deputation to 
Virginia — Mannakin Town Conference — Difficulties — Adjustment— Happy 
Effects — Mr. Lee in a new Sphere — Drafted into the Army — Refuses to bear 
Arms, and is Imprisoned — Anecdote — Family Prayer in the Guard-house — 
Morning Worship — Released and Promoted — Preaches on the Sabbath — Ex- 
ecution of a Tory — Retreat — Anecdote — Profanity — Efforts to do Good among 
the Soldiers — Released from the Army — Returns Home — Industry in Preach- 
ing — Itinerancy — Dread of entering it — Difficulties and' Encouragements — 
War Spirit in Virginia — Disastrous Effects on Religion — Conference in Vir- 
ginia — Declines joining — Travels awhile — Assists in forming a new Circuit 
— Enlargement of Methodism 72 



CHAPTER IV. 

FROM HIS ADMISSION INTO THE TRAVELLING CONNEXION IN 1783, TO 
THE ORGANIZATION OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN 1784. 

Itinerancy — Mr. Lee enters the Travelling Connexion — Conference in Virginia 
— Temperance Measures — Slavery — Appointed to Caswell Circuit — A sleepy 
Congregation — Transferred to Amelia Circuit — Extracts from his Journal — 
Labours — Experience — Conference of 1784 at Ellis's Meeting-house — Mr. 
Jarratt's Sermon — Appointed to Salisbury Circuit — Journal — A sick Lady — 
A dangerous Ford — Anecdote, Note — General Conference of 1784 — Inability 
to attend — Organization of the Church — General Review of the Proceedings 
and Principles of " The Christmas Conference," — Mr. Lee at his Work — 
Meets with Bishop Asbury — Gown and Bands — Travels with the Bishop to 
Charleston — Inception, of his Mission to New England — Preaches in Charles- 
ton — Returns to his Work — Administration of Discipline — Closes his year's 
Labour — Reflections — Prosperity of the Church consequent upon its Organi- 
zation Ill 



CHAPTER V. 

FROM THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH IN 1784, TO THE INTRODUC- 
TION OF METHODISM INTO NEW ENGLAND IN 1789. 

The Ministry — First Conference in North Carolina — Beverly Allen — Slavery- 
General Review of Church Action upon the Subject — Dr. Coke — Collision 
between the Doctor and Mr. Lee — Historical Facts — Virginia Conference — 



CONTENTS. 



XI 



Effects of Anti- Slavery Agitation — Mr. Lee visits and takes an Appointment 
in the Baltimore Conference — Journal — Efforts to promote Religion — Con- 
ference — Declines Ordination — Kent Circuit — Journal — A blessed Revival — 
Conference of 1787 — Slavery — Spiritual Emancipation — Note — Dr. Coke, his 
Position denned — Recession from the Engagement to submit to Mr. Wesley 
— Appointed to Baltimore — A Word in Season — State of Religion in the City 
— Systematic Labours — Class-Meetings — Instruction of Children — Preaches 
on the Commons — In the Market- House — Good Results — Great Revival in 
Virginia — Mr. Lee's Success in Baltimore — Conference in Philadelphia — Dr. 
Rush — Appointed to Flanders Circuit — Calvinism — Anecdote — Revival — 
Singular Conversion 158 

CHAPTER VI. 

FROM THE INTRODUCTION OF METHODISM INTO NEW ENGLAND IN 1789, 
TO THE SESSION OF THE NEW YORK CONFERENCE IN 1790. 

Conference Boundaries — New England — Mr. Lee appointed to it — Qualifications 
for the Work — State of Religion — " Great Awakening" of 1742 — Mr. Lee in 
Norwalk — A Repulse — His first Sermon — Visits Fairfield — Trials and Com- 
forts — New Haven — Reading — Doctrinal Examination by an Advocate for Dan- 
cing — Stratfield — Success — Forms a Class — Stratford — Unexpected Honours 
— A sad Change — Greenwich — Trials — Opposition a Benefit — Weston — A 
Shot at Calvinism — Two Ministers differently Affected — Anecdote of a Tinker 
—New Haven — A novel Sight — New Town — Reading — Controversy — Forms 
a Class — Conversion of four Men, who became Preachers — Fairfield — Diffi- 
culties — Greenfield, and Dr. Dwight — Bridgeport — Singular Introduction of 
Methodism — Visits Rhode Island — Reinforcements — Farmington — A Dia- 
logue — East Windsor — Crosses and Comforts — Pleasant Fasting — Suffield — 
A Baptist Preacher — Three Dogs — Boston — Preaches on the Common — New- 
buryport — Strange Objection — Tomb of Whitefield — Salem — Returns to Bos- 
ton — Reflections . . . 215 

CHAPTER VII. 

FROM THE NEW YORK CONFERENCE OF 1790, TO THE GENERAL CON- 
FERENCE OF 1792. 

Mr. Lee attends Conference in New York — Presents the Claims of New Eng- 
land to Bishop Asbury — Receives Ordination — Increase of the Church — In- 
cipient Plan for Sunday Schools — Death of his Mother — Returns to New Eng- 
land — Boston — Visits Lynn — Success — Returns to Boston — Trials — Out of 
Money — Difficulties in Boston — Conference again in New York — Bishop 
Asbury goes to New England — Methodism introduced into Canada — Lynn— 
Marblehead — Salem — Manchester — New Hampshire — Rhode Island — Lynn 
— Colleagues, Bonsai and Smith — Extent of his Labours — Reading — Con- 
ference in Lynn — A new District — Society in Boston — General Conference 
in Baltimore — Death of " The Council" — Revision of the Discipline — " Pre- 
siding Elder Question" — Defeat of the Plan of electing them — O'Kelly with- 
draws from the Conference — Provision for his Support — Agitation — Secession 
— Loss of Members — O'Kelly's Apology — Controversy respecting it — Sneth- 



xii 



CONTENTS. 



en's Reply — Mr. Lee involved by 0' Kelly — Vindication — Unpublished Re- 
ply — Extracts — Failure of O'Kelly — Causes of it .... 25% 

CHAPTER VIII. 

FROM THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1792. TO THE GENERAL CONFER- 
ENCE OF 1796. 

Mr. Lee visits Virginia — Witnesses the Effects of the O'Kellyan Agitation in 
Virginia — Returns to New England — Lynn — Tour on his District — Confer- 
ence in Lynn — Appointed to i; Province of Maine" — Enters his Work — 
Forms a Circuit — Trials — A new District — Defects of Health and Faith — 
Courtesy of a Baptist — Inhospitable Treatment — First Church in Rhode Island 
— Spiritual Ignorance — Good Fruits — First Society in Maine — Anecdote — 
Nearly perishes from Cold — Shouting Scene in the Road — Great Spiritual 
Destitution — A powerful Meeting — A dancing Baptist — Island of Martha's 
Vineyard — A Backslider reclaimed — Birth-day Feelings — Antinomianism 
rebuked — New Brunswick — First Church in Maine — Conference in New 
London — Stationed in Boston — Lays the Corner-stone of a Church — On the 
Commons — Mob in Provincetown — A Calvinist in a Dilemma — A Quarrel ; 
or, Preaching vs. Dancing — Losing a Will — Schism in Charleston, S. C. — 
General Conference in 1796 — Revision — Boundaries of Conferences — Deed 
of Settlement — Chartered Fund — Local Preachers — Grant of Ordination — 
Episcopacy of Dr. Coke — Mr. Lee's Views and Participation in the Confer 
ence Business — His Character by a Contemporary . . . 288 

CHAPTER IX. 

FROM THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1796.. TO THE GENERAL CONFER • 
ENCE OF 1800. 

Mr. Lee visits Virginia — Attends the Conference — Decrease of the Church- 
New England — Letter from Bishop Asbury — Presides in Conference — Re- 
commended to travel with the Bishop — Philadelphia Conference — Virginia — 
Unexpected Meeting with Dr. Coke — The Doctor just released from Captivity 
— Virginia Conference — Advises Bishop Asbury to rest — Mr. Lee sent South 
to supply his Place — Charleston — State of the Church in South Carolina — 
Georgia — Excessive Labour — Birth-day Presentiment — Virginia Conference 
— Persuades his Father to emancipate his Slaves — An Indignity offered to 
his Father — His own Views of Slavery — Journey North — Singular Cause of 
Conversion — Conference in Philadelphia — Petitioning for Preachers — Anec- 
dote ; Preachers vs. Reapers — Conference in Maine — Precious Fruits — Con- 

• ference in Massachusetts — State of the Church — Statistics — Local Preachers 
— Returns South — John Dickens — An Apostate Minister — A revival Meeting 
— Stith Mead and John Easter — Anecdote — Charleston — Supplies Bishop 
Asbury's place in Georgia — Enters upon Northern Visitation — Singular Com- 
mencement of a Revival — Virginia Conference ; presides over it — Visits his 
Father — Baltimore Conference — Large Preachers — Philadelphia Conference 
— New York Conference — Prosperity of Methodism — A Night -ride, and bad 
Treatment — Journey South — Martin Boehm — Winchester Jail — A strange 



CONTENTS. 



XIU 



Meeting — Incidents of Travel — Charleston — Goes to Georgia — State of Mo- 
rals — Whitefleld's Orphan-house — Returns to Charleston — Virginia — James- 
town — Baltimore General Conference — Important Alterations of the Disci- 
pline — Mr. Lee nearly elected Bishop — Review of the Causes of Defeat — 
Feelings— Anecdote — Note ... 332 



CHAPTER X. 



FROM THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1800, TO THE GENERAL CONFER- 
ENCE OF 1804. 

General Conference Revival — Great Revival at Duck Creek — Mr. Lee in Phila- 
delphia — Letter of the Bishops — Attends Conference at Lynn — Separates 
from Bishop Asbury — Visits the East — Winter in New York — Returns to 
Virginia — Incidents — Fredericksburg — Whitefleld's Anathema — Death of 
Rev. D. Jarratt — Review of his Course towards Methodism — Affair between 
him and Dr. Coke — Important Letter — Mr. Lee appointed Pressing Elder — 
Size of his District — Devotion to his Work — Anecdotes — Rev Tohn Lee — 
His happy Death — Virginia Conference of 1802 — Reappointed Eider — Revi- 
vals — Powerful Meeting — Contrast — Sign of the Cross — Enlargement of the 
Church — First Camp-Meetings in Virginia — Conference of 1804 — Appointed 
to a Circuit — General Conference — Its Composition — Revision of Discipline 
— Stationing Law — Attempted Change of the Eighth Article — Book Con- 
cern removed to New York — Conclusion 382 



CHAPTER XI. 



FROM THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1804, TO THE GENERAL CONFER- 
ENCE OF 1808. 

Christian Activity — Lunatic Asylum at Williamsburg — A great Camp-Meeting 
— Conference in North Carolina — Mecklenburg Circuit — Authorship of Mr. 
Lee — State of Printing — Attends Conference in Norfolk — A Revival — Ame- 
lia Circuit — A Case of Suffering — Strange Scenes at a Camp-Meeting — 
Presbyterian Extravagance — A Trance — Reflections — Death of Bishop What- 
coat — Mr. Lee's Tribute to his Memory — Official Testimonial of his Excel- 
lence — Conference in Newbern — Mr. Lee defeats a Measure for holding an 
Extra General Conference — Revisits the South — Forms the first Society in 
Savannah — Last Visit to the Orphan House — Travels in Georgia — Prayer in 
the Woods of Florida — Virginia Conference in Lynchburg — Measures for a 
Delegated General Conference — Anecdotes — Cumberland Circuit — Scene at 
Home — General Conference of 1808 — Absence of Dr. Coke — Proceedings in 
his Case — His Letter to Bishop White condemned, and justly — Election of a 
Bishop — Provision for a Delegated General Conference — Mr. Lee's early 
Movement upon this Subject — Committee's Report — Restrictive Regulations 
defeated by Mr. Lee— Reconsidered, reported, and adopted — Anecdote — Pre- 
siding Elder Question — Section on Slavery left out of the Discipline — Re- 
flec + ions 411 



XIV 



CONTENTS, 



CHAPTER XII. 

FROM THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF IPOS, TO THE GENERAL CONFER- 
ENCE OF 1812. 

The Christian Soldier— Enters on a Visit to New England— Strange Scenes at 
a Camp-Meeting— New York— Norwalk— A Change — Free Seats — Belis — 
Note, Remark of Asbury on Bells — Pews — Bad Manners — Mr. Lee and the 
Lawyers — Farmington — Effect of a Word— Rev. George Pickering — Con- 
founding a Baptist Minister — Prosperity of Methodism— Returns to Virginia 
— Conference at Tarboro — Bishop Asbury's Prejudices against Slavery — 
Change of his Views — Brunswick Circuit — Mr. Lee elected Chaplain to the 
House of Representatives — Sustains a severe Injury — Returns to his Circuit 
— Conference in Petersburg — A Question of Episcopal Power — Mr. Lee ap- 
pointed Presiding Elder — Publishes his History of the Methodists — Motives 
for writing it — Its Character and Value — Note, Bishop Asbury's Objection 
to it considered — Labours on his District — Conference at Raleigh — Com 
plaints — Anecdote — Amelia Circuit — Chaplaincy — Purchases a Home — Con- 
ference in Richmond — Bishop Asbury complained of for ordaining a Slave — 
Election of Delegates to General Conference — Stationed in Richmond — Ge- 
neral Conference—Bishop M'Kendree's Address — Refusal to elect a Bishop 
— Local Deacons — Anecdote — Effort to alter the Mode of constituting the 
General Conference— Presiding Elder Question — A Passage between Bishop 
Asbury and Mr. Lee — A strange Procedure in Legislation . . . 447 

CHAPTER XIII. 

FROM THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1812, TO THE CLOSE OF HIS LIFE. 

Methodism in Richmond — Mr. Lee's Pastoral Labours — Labours in the Peni- 
tentiary — Dr. Rice attempts to supersede him — Fails, and leaves the Prison- 
ers to the Care of the Methodists — Camp-Meeting — A Midnight Sermon — 
Re-elected Chaplain — Rebukes Profanity — Conference in Newbern — Mr. Lee 
preaches — Strange Effects of the Sermon — Brunswick Circuit — Chaplain to 
the Senate — Publishes Sermons — Conference in Lynchburg — Transferred to 
Baltimore Conference without, his Consent — Appointed to Fredericksburg — 
Refuses to go — Subsequent Regrets — Gives up the Chaplaincy — Interesting 
Anecdote — Conference in Raleigh — Goes to Baltimore — Tried and acquitted 
— Stationed at Annapolis — First Sermon — Death of Bishop Asbury — Mr. 
Lee's Testimonial of his Worth— Epitaph — General Conference — Presiding 
Elder Question — Election of Bishop — Mr. Lee among his Flock in Annapo- 
lis — Personal Piety — Worship in the Woods — Visits a Camp- Meeting — Last 
Sermon— Sickness and Death — Reflections — Analysis of his Character — His 
Conversion and Religious Experience — His Call to the Ministry — Qualifica- 
tions for the Office, Physical, Mental, and Spiritual — Preaching ; Mode of 
it, Practical and Evangelical — Doctrinal Preaching — His Success, and the 
Causes of it — Conclusion 479 



THE 

LIFE AND TIMES 

OF 

THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



CHAPTER I. 
FROM HIS BIRTH IN 1758, TO HIS CONVERSION IN 1773. 

Introduction — Civil History — Washington — Ecclesiastical History — Law of 
Propagation — Luther — Wesley — Methodism identical with Religion — Re- 
mark of Robert Hall — Co-laborers and Successors of Wesley — Life of Mr. 
Lee interwoven with early American Methodism — Birth of Lee — Youth — 
Education — Anecdote — Note — Morals — Colonial Church Service — Influence 
of Catechetical Instruction — Singing — Character and influence of it — State 
oi Religion in Virginia — Character of the Clergy — E,ev. D. Jarratt — Family 
of Mr. Lee — Introduction of Religion into it — Happy Results upon Domestic 
Relations — Parental Decision — Unites with the Methodists — Awakening and 
Conversion of Mr. Lee — Great Spiritual Distress — Revival of Religion — Re- 
ligious Ignorance of the People — Note — Mr. Jarratt's mode of Teaching the 
People — Rev. Mr. McRobert — Introduction of Methodism into Virginia. 

Civil history is made up of the feelings, schemes, and pursuits 
of individuals. Its private acts and public achievements are but 
a register of the virtues and vices of men. Nations are imper- 
sonations of character, taking their rank and measuring their 
influence from the virtue, intelligence, and enterprise of their 
subjects. We cannot separate the deeds and feelings of indivi- 
duals from the grand aggregate of actions and events that give 



16 THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 

character to a community, and stability to its laws and institutions. 
Communities of men are subject to the same laws of opinion and 
influence as individuals ; number and magnitude only make them 
less impressible, and though quite as excitable, yet more deliberate 
in decision, and more resolute in action. A man is often the index 
of the age he lives in : his opinions are revelations, his principles 
the rule of conduct, and his conduct the standard of excellence 
and authority. Or, to change the figure, he so impresses his 
plans and purposes upon the civil character of his country, that it 
becomes to after ages the mirror of his principles and pursuits. 
Our own history furnishes a striking illustration of the truth 
of this sentiment. Washington is the Father of his country. 
Yet, in awarding this distinguished appellation, we feel that he is 
more eminently so amidst the implements and peaceable pursuits 
of husbandry, than with the weapons of war in the shock and 
blood of the battle. We boast of his personal prowess, and of his 
splendid military achievements ; but we admire and commend his 
magnanimous self-denial and moral firmness, in forsaking the 
scenes of public and popular applause for the more humble 
enjoyments and quiet pursuits of domestic life. 

The same principles and laws of influence are discernible in 
the history of Christianity and of churches. Jesus Christ is the 
embodied representation of religion. He lives in its principles, 
and breathes in its spirit. But it is the simple faith, the virtuous 
life, the self-denying benevolence of the Christian, that forms the 
living exhibition of the gracious influence of the gospel. Its 
spirituality has no other mode of manifestation. Man is the 
subject of its grace, the mirror of its truth and holiness. A. 
partaker of grace himself, he becomes, by the laws of agency 
and influence, a dispenser of its blessings to others. " Ye are 
my witnesses," said Christ. Christians are witnesses. Their 
words are testimonials of the power and faithfulness of Christ, 
their lives a register of his forbearance and love. These give no 
uncertain sound, leave no undistinguishable impression upon the 
moral feelings of society. In their different spheres each is an 
"instrument of righteousness unto holiness." Facts are not 
wanting to set forth and confirm this idea of religious influence 
Luther wrote the laws of religion upon the mind of Christendom 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



17 



Wesley engraved the spirit of the gospel upon its heart. Both 
were " workers together with God ;" and their " work was 
honourable and glorious." 

Chalmers has denned Methodism as " Christianity in earnest." 
It is a definition no less candid than it is correct. The fundamental 
law of its vitality, that grace to be^ preserved must be constantly 
employed, is an exemplification of the existence and influence of 
this principle. Christianity has no state of quiescence. Activity 
in good works is the element and proof of spirituality. " When 
thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." This principle 
presided over the origin of Methodism. It is still its great per- 
vasive spirit. It is the lock of its strength, the master instrument 
of its vitality and success. So every Methodist feels ; and so, 
if true to his feelings, he acts. All active, and always at work, 
*aie rules the specific value of which may be discerned in the form, 
consistency, and strength of Methodism. This was pre-eminently 
the characteristic of Wesley. The remark of the distinguished 
Robeit Hall, "that while he set all in motion, he was himself 
perfectly calm and phlegmatic : the quiescence of turbulence ;" is 
no less just as a tribute to Mr. Wesley's zeal and enterprise, than 
it is true of his power to move and influence others. The 
impression made upon society by his life and labours has survived 
his dissolution, and will stand out distinct and visible in the sub- 
lime emblazonry of the skies, when " suns and systems shall 
expire." The impulse given to the cause of religion by his 
laborious diligence to do good, will roll on, enlarging in volume 
and increasing in strength until it mingles its melody with " the 
voice of many waters" upon the far off shores of the coming 
eternity. The zeal for God, inborn in Wesley when " born of the 
spirit," was the source of his unresting energy, and the secret of 
all his success. It was of God ; hence, it has not failed from the 
Church, and is yet prosperous as an instrument of multiplying the 
triumphs of Christianity. Faithful men, possessed of a like spirit, 
and animated by a zeal as commanding, if not as boundless and 
indefatigable, have been raised up to preserve the precious seed 
of life, and transmit it to the generations to come. Wesley 
yet lives in the zeal, enterprise, and enlarging prosperity of 
Methodism. 
2 



18 THE LIFE AND TIMES 0* 

Numerous and distinguished is the company of those who have 
entered into Mr. Wesley's plans for spreading scriptural holiness 
in the earth ; various their talents and endowments, and diversified 
the success that has crowned their faithful and persevering labours. 
The proofs of apostleship — fitness for the work, and success in 
winning souls to Christ — have not been wanting to substantiate 
their authority as " able ministers of the New Testament," and 
justify their claims as accredited messengers of Jesus Christ. 
Multitudes of regenerated men stand up to attest the power of 
their words, and confess them as fathers by whom they have been 
brought into the fellowship of the saints. Many of these first 
labourers, in the now vast and constantly enlarging field of 
Methodism, have entered into rest, and found a heavenly recom- 
pense for their earthly toils. But in England and America the 
remnants of a giant race are yet spared to represent the life-long 
zeal of the first Methodists. They are links binding us in unity 
of faith and feeling with the mighty men, — those men of renown, 
who, in the beginning of our histoiy, braved the martyr's lot that 
they might preach " the unsearchable riches of Christ." They 
are here for example and encouragement. Their lives are his- 
tories of moral heroism. But they are solitary in the midst of 
their brethren. Their companions are gone ; they sleep in the 
dust of the earth. And they, too, are passing away. A few 
generations more, and their names and good works will fade away 
from the memories of men. No monument will mark the place 
of their repose, as no record will preserve the history of their 
labours and triumphs in the vineyard of Christ. Yet their arduous 
toils, their patient sufferings, their generous self-denial, and their 
glorious achievements in the work of the ministry, are the heritage 
of the Church. They are recorded proofs of the presence and 
favour of God. Shall these perish and be forgotten? 

It is the purpose of these pages to record the life and preserve a 
memorial of one of these worthy men. One whose name and 
ministiy are linked in with the multitude of valiant men that dis- 
tinguish and adorn the annals of American Methodism. Methodist 
history is imperfect without a more full and comprehensive record 
of his life and labours. His life was so prominent and public, and 
his labours so abundant and extensive, that he deservedly stands 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



19 



in the foremost rank of the Fathers of the American branch of 
Wesleyan Methodism. Contemporary with Wesley, and acquainted 
with Coke, he was also the friend and companion of Asbury, 
Whatcoat, and M'Kendree. They belong to the same period, live 
in the same events ; and the trump that wafts the fame of one to 
the end of time must, if full and impartial, carry the others along 
in its course. We cannot reflect on the early events of our eccle- 
siastical history, its toils and triumphs, without a grateful remem- 
brance of those strong-minded and warm-hearted men, whose zeal 
for God and the souls of men, has made their names " as ointment 
poured forth" to their sons and successors in the ministry. It is 
edifying to " call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that dwelt in 
them." It is impressive to witness their good works of faith and 
love. And the feelings with which we cherish their memory, and 
imitate their " godly and wholesome examples," is a part of that 
servitude to Christ which makes us " acceptable to God and ap- 
proved of men." Among the men who, by their character and 
labours, gave strength and consistency to the ecclesiastical organi- 
zation of Methodism, the name of Jesse Lee, the subject of these 
memoirs, occupies a distinguished place — for his fervent piety, solid 
attainments, laborious diligence, distinguished success, and exten- 
sive travels. 

Jesse Lee was born in Prince George county, Virginia, on the 
12th of March, 1758. He was the second son of Nathaniel and 
Elizabeth Lee. His parents were respectable members of society, 
moral in their deportment, upright in the engagements and occu- 
pations of life, and independent, though plain, in their domestic 
and social relations. 

The records of the childhood and youth of Mr. Lee are few, 
and necessarily imperfect. They consist of detached passages, 
rather than of consecutive sketches. Yet enough has been pre- 
served to show the prominent traits of his character, especially as 
they were developed and confirmed in subsequent and more mature 
periods of his life. Neither the time nor place of his birth were 
friendly, either from the tone of public sentiment, or the facilities 
afforded for the enlarged cultivation of the mind. Schools were 
scarce, the system of education partial and limited, and teachers 
exceedingly defective, both as to their acquirements and their 



20 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



ability to communicate the meagre information they possessed.* 
Of high schools and academies there were none in the country, 
and the only college in the province was that at Williamsburg. 
But such means as were within reach were freely used, and 
although we are in ignorance as to the time spent at school, and 
the amount of information gained, yet the subsequent events of 
his life indicate that a good foundation was laid, and a real thirst 
for improvement acquired. We know indeed that at " the proper 
age he was put to a school in the neighbourhood," that " as soon 
as he could read tolerably well" he was "directed to procure a 
prayer book, with a strict injunction to carry it to church every 
Sunday," and that " out of the prayer book he was taught the cate- 
chism." But how far he progressed in learning, or what capacities 
for improvement were developed, we have now no means of ascer- 
taining. Nor is it really important to know either. A more ex- 
tended education might have rendered him more useful, but it could 
scarcely have increased his zeal, or altered the character and effi- 
ciency of his labours. 

There is no uncertainty, however, as to his moral progress. 
The impression made upon his moral nature by the course of cate 
chetical instruction out of the prayer book, then constituting a part 
of the system of common school education, is distinctly and 
gratefully acknowledged. His teacher, it is presumable, was a 
Church-of-England-man, and according to the character of the 
times was possessed, at least, of " the form of godliness," and was 

* As an instance of what is here stated, the following facts in the early life 
of the Rev. D. Jarratt, will show how little was learned by a scholar, and how 
little was required of a teacher. In the memoirs of his life, edition 1S06, pp. 
20-25, he says : "At eight or nine years old I was sent to an English school 
in the neighbourhood : and I continued to go to one teacher and another, as op- 
portunity served (though not without great interruptions), till I was twelve or 
thirteen. In this time I learned to read in the Bible (though but indifferently), 
and to write a sorry scrawl, and acquired some knowledge of arithmetic. With 
this small fund I left school.'' In the nineteenth year of his age he was called 
to preside over a school. He says, " I was so skilled in the Division of Crops, 
the Rule of Three, and Practice, that you may be sure the fame of my learning 
sounded far. One Jacob Moon, living in Albemarle county, about one hun- 
dred miles from New Kent (the place of Mr. Jarratt's birth), had already heard 
how learned I was." This was about the year 1750, and in a county contigu- 
ous to that in which Mr. Lee was born. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



21 



governed by a laudable desire to promote good order and sound 
morals among his pupils. The regular performance of " the 
morning service" on Wednesday and Friday of each week, was 
an important auxiliary in this benevolent and commendable under- 
taking. By this exercise the pupils became familiar with the lan- 
guage of the prayer book, and the forms of service, even though 
they remained ignorant of devotion, and failed to " worship God 
in spirit and in truth." It was not lost labour. The idea of reli- 
gion, and the sense of responsibility were impressed upon their 
moral feelings ; and these had a direct tendency to " prepare the 
way of the Lord." It is true " a more excellent way " was want- 
ing. True spirituality in the teacher would have " esteemed every 
day alike," and "the evening service" as well as the morning, 
and service upon each day of the week, would have been brought 
to bear upon the moral nature of the pupils ; and prayer out of the 
lieart would have been as well understood, and quite as available 
and impressive, and certainly as effectual with God. But defective 
as was the character of the times, it is gratifying to discover signs 
of life even under the pall that pressed dark and heavily upon the 
Church — the coffin of spiritual religion. Still the object of these 
occasional services was not entirely lost upon the youthful subject 
of these memoirs. It is recorded that " when summoned to church 
on Sunday, he would seat himself in his pew, with his prayer 
book in his hand, and repeat the service in a manner which did 
credit to one of his age." Whatever may have been his feelings 
with respect to God, as the author of his being, and the source of 
his salvation, while he was so creditably repeating his prayers, it 
is certain, and the certainty affords a strong and positive argument 
for blending moral and mental instruction, that the impressions he 
received from the study of the catechism, were durable and bene- 
ficial. W e have his own testimony on this subject. And it is so 
clear and decided as to its advantages, not only in one, but " in a 
thousand instances," that it may not be doubted. The effect of this 
testimony is greatly heightened by the fact that it was given when 
age and religion had removed the errors, and renewed and matured 
the impressions of childhood. He says : "In a thousand instances, 
when I felt an inclination to act and speak amiss, I have been 
stopped by the recollection of my catechism, some parts of which 



22 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



I did not understand ; yet it was good upon the whole that I learned 
it." No doubt but it was good, notwithstanding he did not fully 
understand it. The comprehension of children is not the just 
standard of the instruction they ought to receive. There are 
truths that ought to be written upon the mind at a period so early 
as to preclude the possibility of knowing how or from whom they 
were derived. This may be done. And the preoccupation of the 
mind with principles of a moral and religious nature is no less easy 
of accomplishment than it is important to an early and dutiful sub- 
mission to the claims of the gospel. " It is good for a man that 
he bear the yoke in his youth." So Inspiration teaches ; and ob- 
servation will confirm the opinion that the yoke that is earliest 
assumed is longest and most faithfully borne. Parents and teach- 
ers have no holier employment, nor one more promising of a rich 
and abundant harvest than is found in the religious instruction, of a 
child. Catechisms, such as are in general use among Protestant 
Christians, contain the seeds of Divine truth. These sowed in the 
heart will spring up, and bring forth fruit unto eternal life. And 
if there be a duty, to every element and feature of which the words 
of the wise man — " in the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening 
withhold not thy hand" — may be applied with peculiar appropri- 
ateness and emphasis, it is to the religious education of children. 
The great first truths of the gospel, solemn and simple as they are, 
and so adapted to fill the mind with wonder and awaken it to 
strange and unutterable thoughts and feelings, when deposited in 
the mind of a child, and especially w r hen fostered by systematic 
counsel, and encouraged by " a godly and wholesome example," 
cannot fail powerfully to affect and influence the moral nature, and 
work out the accomplishment of that blessed word of God which 
promises to crown a well-trained childhood with an old age of 
honour, usefulness, and quiet enjoyment. A parent's hand may 
shape the ends of life with respect to its character and pursuits ; 
and childhood requires a w^ise head, a good heart, and a steady 
hand to guide it. The non-reception of this catechetical instruc- 
tion might have made the moral exception in Mr. Lee's case a very 
different affair, and given it a very dangerous preponderancy of 
evil. Instead of operating constantly and consecutively in check- 
ing his propensities to sin, it might have destroyed all restraints 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 23 

and left the native depravity of the heart to the original force of its 
aberrations, and of its acquired and ever accumulating temptations 
" to act and speak amiss." And then the exception in favour of 
rectitude of action and language, might have been only one out of 
" a thousand instances." In every view of the case, " it was good 
that he learned it." 

There was another element in the early education of Mr. Lee 
that had a direct tendency to impress and improve his moral feel- 
ings. It was the cultivation of the science of sacred music. In 
those days musical science was not so well understood, nor so ex- 
tensively cultivated as it is at present. Yet it was not entirely ne- 
glected. There were singing-schools in various parts of the coun- 
try ; and the youth of both sexes were collected together for the 
purpose of learning to sing. Instrumental music, as the term is 
now understood, was not in vogue. It is doubted whether, except 
an occasional church organ, there were any musical instruments 
known to the great mass of the population in the country beside 
the fiddle, and the fife and drum. And it is quite certain that music 
was regarded more as a practical and useful acquirement than an 
elegant accomplishment. It was studied for useful purposes. And 
it is not an unmeaning fact that the science was confined almost 
exclusively to the cultivation of sacred melody. Vain and wicked 
songs, such as might have been common to the times, were not 
taught in the singing-schools. It was supposed, and very truly, 
that native depravity would acquire them with sufficient facility 
without the trouble and expense of teaching. Society would have 
lost nothing, and public morals might have been longer and better 
preserved if we had retained, in this respect at least, the correct 
views and quiet simplicity of our fathers. How far the lascivious 
sentiments, light airs, and exciting music, with their frivolous and 
often indelicate accompaniments, more recently introduced among 
us, contribute to the prevalent effeminacy of character, and increas- 
ing corruption of morals, are questions that appropriately belong to 
the moralist and the philosopher. But the historian may very proper- 
ly state it as a fact that there is a very striking coincidence as to the 
period of their introduction, their progressive growth, and mischiev- 
ous developements. Christian parents would do well to observe 
this connexion ; and then settle the question as to the musical edu- 



24 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



cation of their children with a wise and pious regard to its influence 
over the feelings, and upon the proper conduct of life. First im- 
pressions are too important and durable to be overlooked in " train- 
ing a child in the way it should go." It is at least possible that 
some vain songs were common among the people of the times we 
are writing of; and it is not improbable that the youth whose life 
we are considering was familiar with some of them. He might 
have been fond of them. But the instruction of the singing-school, 
and the habits formed there, effectually dislodged them from their 
seat in his mind, and filled his memory, if not his heart, with " the 
concord of sweet sounds " that has always characterized the songs 
of Zion. Nor was this all. It rendered him familiar with church 
music, and prepared him to engage in that most delightful part of 
religious worship with a holy relish, and a just appreciation of its 
softening and subduing influence upon the moral feelings. And, in 
subsequent years, when called to stand in the holy place, as a mes- 
senger of the Lord of Hosts, he found his musical powers an im- 
portant auxiliary in promoting the great work of God to which he 
devoted his life. His fine, clear, strong voice, under the peculiar 
circumstances attendant on his ministry, in carrying the gospel to 
new and strange places, was a trumpet that gave no uncertain 
sound in collecting a congregation. On a box in the field, a bench 
in the market, or beneath the spreading branches of a tree by the 
wayside, he would sometimes commence one of " the sweet songs 
of Zion," and thus attract a company of hearers to whom he would 
preach " Jesus Christ and him crucified, the Saviour of all men. 
especially of them that believe." 

These facts in the early history of Mr. Lee may serve as 
important hints to the right religious education of children. But 
they occupy a more eminent place in the records of his character 
while in its forming state. They were conjointly and positively 
influential in their operation upon him. Under the gracious sanc- 
tion of Him " who worketh all in all," they gave activity to his 
moral feelings, and a right direction to his pursuits. They made 
him docile, " gentle and easy to be entreated ;" and gave upright- 
ness and integrity to his character. He was what would be, 
commonly and without hesitation, regarded as a youth of correct 
moral deportment, orderly in his habits, peaceable in his disposition, 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



25 



cheerful and quiet with his associates, and submissive to the 
authority of his parents. If he was found, at any time, in wicked 
company, it was because, in the state of the times, he could find no 
pious associates. Religion was scarcely regarded as suitable for 
childhood and youth ; manhood passed it by as too solemn for 
present attention, and age and sickness were conditions of life 
generally regarded as furnishing a good excuse for seeking "the 
benefit of clergy." Indeed, " a form of godliness," trimmed and 
fitted for the service of Sunday, was all that the prevalent impiety 
of the age had left, even to those who ministered at the altar ; and 
the lines between virtue and vice were so indistinct, and so seldom 
drawn, that a gross profanity, or a very questionable morality, were 
the common grounds for distinguishing between them. " The 
failings of the clergy seldom leaned to virtue's side," and those of 
the laity were almost always in the opposite direction. Examples 
of vice were not wanting, even in high places, to any who chose to 
plead example as an excuse for their sins, or in extenuation of 
their disregard for holy things. Irreligion was common to all 
classes of society. But the general aspect of society had worse 
features than may be indicated by the mere absence of religious 
influence. There was positive vice. It was undisguised, openly 
practised, eagerly sought. The standard of morals was low. The 
mass of society were " lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God." 
There were few that did good ; fewer still that sought after God. 
Vices, that a very low standard of morals would pronounce deroga- 
tory to the Christian profession, were common among those who 
partook of the holy communion. Union with the Church, as estab- 
lished by law, was the moral condiment that seasoned the misdeeds 
of the laity and ministered to their quiet, under circumstances of 
alarm from the fear of death, or the apprehensions of a future 
state. And " do as I say, not as I do" was, on the part of the 
clergy, the tribute-money that conscience offered on Sunday, in 
bribery for the licentiousness of the week. Drunkenness, gambling, 
sabbath-breaking, and various other immoralities, were notoriously 
common ; and, no doubt, were sought with greater relish, from the 
fact, that judging from the example of the clergy, and other church 
officers, they were not regarded as incompatible with xirc Christian 
character. Some of the practices thus introduced as cc nrnon to 



23 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



age, were, no doubt, indulged in by the family of Mr. Lee. But 
they were finally forsaken, and utterly renounced about the year 
1772. This happy change occurred in his father's family, when 
he was about fourteen years of age. And he was soon after that 
favourable event brought to a spiritual perception of his lost condi- 
tion as a sinner. He could not, therefore, have been in the habit 
of indulging in these vicious enjoyments. Yet it is not pretended 
that he was unacquainted with them, or that he did not occasionally 
participate in pleasures incompatible with strict morality. It is 
believed that he was fond of dancing, and of such engagements and 
associations as are common to scenes so irrational and frivolous. 
But of the more gross and licentious practices enumerated above, 
his youth, and generally moral deportment, protect him from all 
suspicion of participation. In a subsequent, and more mature period 
of his life, while reflecting upon the scenes now passing under 
review, he gave utterance to the following language : " I do not 
recollect that I ever swore in my life, except one night, being in 
company with some wicked young people, I uttered some kind of 
oaths, for which I felt ashamed and sorry all the next day, and 
when alone, I felt that God was displeased with me for my bad 
conduct. I believe I never did anything in my youth that the 
people generally call wicked. I used, however, to indulge bad 
tempers, and use some vain words." What people generally con- 
sidered harmless, or not wicked, when Mr. Lee was a youth, would 
not pass currently now for a very high standard of goodness. Still 
it is gratifying to find him a little above, rather than just below that 
standard. And his aberration from " the good and the right way," 
of which, however, we have, except in what he derived from the 
catechism, very little ground for supposing him to have been 
even tolerably well informed, is relieved, in some measure, 
by the discovery of the shame and sorrow he experienced for 
having sinned against God. The openness of his confession, how- 
ever, is a part, a most prominent and pleasing part, of his charac- 
ter. In youth and manhood, his character was unique ; he had no 
concealments, and he was without guile. At the early age of which 
we are now writing, he had developed qualities of mind and traits 
of character that gave promise of a useful and happy life. He was 
industrious and cheerful, uniform in the temper of his mind, and 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 27 

fond of social life. But there was no outer evidence of being 
included in " the covenants of promise." Indeed, he, and his 
father's house, were yet strangers and aliens ; " without God, and 
without hope in the world." 

The religious condition of Virginia during the early youth of Mr. 
Lee was most deplorable ; yet there was the promise of a brighter 
and more blissful day. The settlement of the Rev. Devereux Jar- 
ratt in Bath parish, Dinwiddie county, contiguous to the residence of 
Mr. Lee, was, under the blessing of a wise and merciful Provi- 
dence, the means of introducing religion into the family. Mr. Jar- 
ratt was a minister of the Church of England, which was then the 
established religion of Virginia. He was ordained in London in 
January 1763 ; reached Virginia in July ; and on the 29th of Au- 
gust was elected minister of Bath parish. He entered at once upon 
a course of vigorous and earnest labour to fulfil the ministry he had 
received of the Lord to be faithful ; and soon spread his efforts over 
a considerable district of country. His labours were not confined 
to the Sabbath, nor to the parish church ; but during the week, day 
and night, and in private houses, he went about " testifying the 
gospel of the grace of God." Indeed, he was full of good works, 
and abundant in zeal ; and his success in winning souls to Christ 
was as remarkable, as it was singular and surprising for a clergy- 
man to have any zeal at all, or to evince any concern for the salva- 
tion of sinners. For several years he preached four or five times a 
week, and travelled through a circuit five or six hundred miles in 
extent.* Labours so faithful, abundant, and persevering as these, 
could not fail to produce the most happy results. At different pe- 
riods from 1764 to 1772 there were seasons of great spiritual inter- 
est. Many were brought to " the knowledge of salvation by the 
remission of sins." The churches were crowded ; and, from but 
seven or eight partakers of the holy sacrament, multitudes thronged 
the altar to evince their submission to Christ and their love for 
each other. During these revivals " a great many souls were, in 
the judgment of charity, savingly converted to God, and obtained 
remission of sins, by faith in Jesus Christ." Among those thus 
" savingly converted to God " under the ministry of Mr. Jarratt 



* Life of the Rev. D. Jarratt, pp. 90-97. 



28 THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 

was the father of Mr. Lee : a brief notice of whose character ari*d 
conversion, especially as they sustain a direct and positive connex- 
ion with whatever was excellent in the conduct, or valuable in the 
labours of the subject of these pages, cannot be out of place here. 

Mr. Nathaniel Lee was what in those days was considered a 
substantial farmer ; the owner of several hundred acres of land, and 
of servants enough to cultivate them ; producing on his own pre- 
mises a sufficiency of what were deemed the necessaries of life, 
and selling enough to procure some of its luxuries, he dwelt at 
ease, and in independence on his estate ; dividing his time between 
the cultivation of his lands, the proper care of his family, and the 
promotion of the social happiness of his neighbourhood. His resi- 
dence was about sixteen miles south of Petersburg, where three of 
his sons settled early in life, and where the remnant of their fami- 
lies yet reside. The forefathers of the family, it is supposed of 
both branches, were originally from England, and settled in Vir- 
ginia at a very early period of its history. But very little, how- 
ever, is now known concerning them. Yet there is reason to 
believe they were members of the Church of England, conforming 
to its rites and partaking of its sacraments. The names given to 
the children of Mr. Nathaniel Lee* evince great reverence for the 
Scriptures ; and since he did not make a profession of religion until 
after the birth of several of them, it indicates at least, the existence, 
and perhaps the prevalence of sound religious views and feelings 
in his father's house. But, however that may be, it is quite certain 
that he and his family were nominally connected with the English 
Episcopal church ; and that some of his children were dedicated to 
God by baptism at its altars. At the period here referred to, reli- 
gious privileges were very few as to number, and exceedingly defec- 
tive in their character. Houses of worship were few and remote 
from each other ; and ministers, for the most part, were scarcely 
moral. Sappony church, the principal place of worship in Bath 
parish, was about twelve miles distant from the residence of Mr. 
Lee ; and the church of Bristol parish, situated in Blandford, now 
forming the burying-ground, and lying within the present corporate 

* Among these were Nathaniel, Jesse, Peter, John, Adam, Abraham; and 
Sarah, Rebecca, and Mary. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



29 



limits of Petersburg, was at least fifteen miles distant in another 
direction. These are certainly known to have been settled parishes 
previous to the revolution. There is presumptive evidence, how- 
ever, for believing there was a place of worship, with a regular 
pastor, still more contiguous to the homestead of the family. The 
Rev. Jesse Lee, in the memoirs of his brother, the Rev. John Lee, 
says, of his parents, that they were "constant attendants on the Es- 
tablished church, or Church of England;" and that "they gener- 
ally took their children with them to church, when they were old 
enough to receive instruction." These facts indicate the nearness 
and convenience of the place of worship. And it is within the re- 
collection of one of the elder branches of Mr. Lee's descendants, now 
living, that there was within a few miles of his house, a place of 
worship, known as " Jones' Hole Church." But the same memory 
adds that the rector " was but a sorry preacher, and of very ques- 
tionable character." So that although he was a stated worshipper 
at Jones' Hole Church, he was privileged occasionally to hear the 
Rev. Mr. Jarratt preach " all the words of this life" of which his 
heart was so full, and for which he was so zealous. These oppor- 
tunities were blessed of God. The word opened his understanding, 
and brought him to perceive and feel his sinfulness and danger. 
He became a diligent seeker of salvation, and happily for himself, 
and many of his posterity, he found " redemption, even the remis- 
sion of sins through the blood of atonement." This happy event 
occurred in the year 1772. The following narrative of his conver- 
sion, and of the introduction of religion into the family, was copied 
from the manuscript journal of his son Jesse, by the Rev. Minton 
Thrift, of Petersburg. It is a simple and unvarnished recital of a 
most gratefully remembered fact in the history and character of a 
numerous family : — 

" In the latter part of the year 1772, my father became much 
more serious, and more engaged with God than formerly. 

" One day when his conviction was deep, and his distress very 
great, he went into the woods, and continued travelling about, and 
mourning for his sins, till at length he claimed the promises of 
God, and by faith 4 beheld the Lamb of God that taketh away the 
sin of the world,' and was 'justified freely by the blood of Jesus 
Christ.' The joy lie felt in his soul he could not describe with 



30 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



words. He had an evidence that his sins were forgiven, and that 
he was born again. This was the beginning of religion in the 
family ; and my father's conversation about religion from that time 
astonished all." 

In a sense, it is at least probable, far more extended and sig- 
nificant than was apprehended, it toas the " beginning of religion 
in the family." Its influence is still felt, and its effects are yet 
visible, in the descendents, and through all the connexions of the 
family. The light thus kindled in the heart of Mr. Lee was a 
heavenly flame. It was holy oil that was burned there, and the 
light was neither " hid under a bushel," nor allowed to become dim. 
He had " found the pearl of great price," and he must needs tell of 
his wealth. It had been his purpose, while a penitent, not to 
reveal to any one the secret of God's gracious dealings with his 
soul. And when filled with the first love of the new-born soul, 
he thought of concealing his feelings from all. But as he 
approached his house his feelings expanded, and he concluded, as 
he concealed nothing of interest or importance from his wife, he 
would tell her of what the Lord had done for his soul. " And, 
as he began to tell her how the Lord had converted his soul, he 
burst into a flood of tears, and could not conceal the feelings of 
his heart. She also fell to weeping, and believed the truth of 
what she heard. The old gentleman never wished to keep his 
experience a secret any longer."* The effect of this happy 
change was soon visible in the family of Mr. Lee. The recital 
of his conversion brought his wife to tears, and, under the agency 
of the Spirit, produced a " godly sorrow, that wrought repentance 
unto life." " For some months she diligently sought the Lord in 
earnest prayer. And some time in the following winter, while she 
was reading in the New Testament, the Lord spoke peace to her 
troubled soul ; and there was, from that hour, a visible alteration 
in her life and conversation." 

The parents being thus made " of one heart and one mind in the 
knowledge and love of God," not only changed their own modes of 
thinking and acting, but that change had a gracious effect upon the 
feelings and habits of the family, and exerted a subduing and 



* Life of Rev. John Lee, p. 11. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 31 

transforming influence upon the character of their children. It 
could not be otherwise, since they held fast to their first love, and 
maintained the integrity of their Christian character " steadfast unto 
the end." They had an altar of prayer for their household ; and 
a closet — a secret place — where they poured out their hearts, and 
" made known their requests unto God." An entire change was 
wrought in their views, feelings, and pursuits ; and its fruits were 
visible in their well ordered household, and their uniform and 
systematic devotion to spiritual things. Their conversation, in their 
families, and in their intercourse with their friends was of" conversion, 
the new birth, the comforts of religion, and the happiness they 
enjoyed." They spoke from the fulness of the heart. Religion, 
with them, was not a system of forms and ceremonies. It was a 
personal thing, both as to its duties and its enjoyments. Its field 
was the heart ; its instruments, prayer, faith, self-denial ; its fruits, 
holiness, usefulness, happiness. " If a man's sins were forgiven, 
he would know it," was a settled principle in their rule of judgment, 
as it was a fixed point in their personal experience. They could not 
doubt it. Their impressions of the change wrought in their hearts 
by the Holy Ghost, and the coincident and corresponding change 
in their desires and purposes, were too strong and palpable to admit 
of doubt. " Old things had passed away — all things had become 
new." They knew that whereas they were once blind, they could 
now see. Spiritual things were no longer strange and shadowy 
mysteries of the imagination. They had a spiritual discernment, 
and the deep things of God were solemn realities, apprehended by 
faith, and standing out with sublime and awful distinctness before 
their minds. And so supreme and powerful did these new spiritual 
feelings become, that they invested, with a new and impressive 
interest, the most ordinary concerns of life ; especially such as might 
operate upon the character of their children, or indicate their own 
sense of what was proper, or promising of usefulness in a Christian 
family. Their natures were changed. " The strong man" of sin 
and worldliness was turned out of their hearts, and they ejected 
him from their house, and were resolved that he should find no 
longer a resting-place within its sacred enclosure. It was hence- 
forth to be, to them, and their children, a house of God. 

It was the effect of this purpose that led Mr. Lee, immediately 



22 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



after his conversion, to renounce, for himself and his family, all vain 
amusements, and to abandon the place of their indulgence, as well 
as the society of those who found pleasure in them. This decision 
as to his own personal conduct, and his domestic government, is 
thus described by his son : # 

" When I was a little turned fourteen years of age, my father 
refused to go to any place of amusement ; and withal told his 
children they had better go no more. I thought, at times, that it 
was hard to be kept under such restrictions, inasmuch as I saw 7 
that other young people could go without being restrained ; but it 
was not long before my father let us know that it was from reli- 
gious motives he was led to act as he did. From that time I felt 
willing to forego the vain amusements of life, and to conform to 
my father's will." 

The preceding extract furnishes a very commendable illustration 
of parental firmness, and filial reverence and submission. Both 
are admirable, and worthy of imitation. Mr. Lee took the right 
view of the matter, and marked out the proper path for himself and 
family. He was responsible for the faithful government of his 
house. He could not without sinning against God yield his autho- 
rity, or tolerate improper conduct in those whom God had com- 
mitted to his trust. Nor could he, compatibly with his character 
as a Christian, and his obligations as a father, allow his children 
to visit places and engage in amusements from which he was pre- 
cluded by the nature and terms of his profession. Religious prin- 
ciple, — that sense of duty which was inwrought in his conscience 
by the Holy Spirit, — required him to take this stand ; and, having 
taken, to maintain it. It would have compromised his character 
as a Christian, destroyed his influence as a Christian father, and, 
probably, have ruined the character and souls of his children, if he 
had adopted a lower standard of duty, or hesitated fully and faith- 
fully to enforce it. The decision was a noble adhesion to the just 
rights of conscience. It placed him at once upon high ground in 
a holy place, and gave to his opinions and example a weight and 
influence that each one felt to be right and worthy of imitation. 
And the freedom with which he communicated to his tried and 

* Memoirs of the Rev. Jesse Lee, pp. 5-6. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



38 



tempted children the reason for seeming to proscribe their enjoy- 
ments, indicates the wisdom of his government and the benevolence 
of his character, and shows his paternal anxiety to bring them to 
the same blessed consummation of religious experience that he 
himself enjoyed. He would not conceal from them the purposes 
and hope of his mind with regard to their spiritual concerns, and 
he was unwilling to expose them to the temptation of misinterpret- 
ing his conduct, or misunderstanding the reasons upon which it 
was founded. Hence, in prohibiting improper amusements, and 
showing the " religious motives" that governed him in doing it, he 
satisfied their judgments, and opened a direct pathway to their 
hearts. 

The happy effects of the spiritual change wrought in the heart 
and life of Mr. Lee, and of the firmness and benevolence of his 
character, were soon visible in his family. His views of duty, and 
the pious feelings he cherished, w T ere continually reproduced in the 
altered habits and renewed lives of his children and domestics 
Nor were they inoperative upon others. His house became the 
resort of such as sought after God ; or, having found him, desired 
to " learn the way of the Lord more perfectly." On such occa- 
sions, " the topic of conversation was experimental religion." In 
topics of this nature he found great satisfaction ; and so steadily 
and progressively did he improve in experimental religion, that at 
a subsequent period, in the year 1779, we find him spoken of by 
Bishop Asbury as a father in Israel.* In the summer of 1774, 
before the formation of any circuits in Virginia, Mr. Lee, his wife, 
and two sons, Peter and Jesse, gave in their names as members of 
the Methodist societies. f Mr. Robert Williams, the first Methodist 
minister who visited that part of Virginia, had been preaching in 
the state since the early part of the year 1773,J without forming a 
regular circuit, and the family of Mr. Lee had attended his minis- 
try, at ever}- convenient opportunity, for about twelve months pre- 
viously to their union with the Methodists. When he gave in his 
adhesion to the Methodists, they were societies in connexion with 
the Church of England. His choice of Christian fellowship was 

* Asbury's Journal. t Life of Rev. John Lee, p. 12» 

t Bangs's Hist. p. 73. 

3 



34 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



wisely and deliberately made, and when that connexion was de- 
stroyed by the downfall of the English establishment in 1776, he 
continued firm in his attachments, and faithful in his adherence to 
the body of Christians with whom he had linked his interests and 
his hopes. From the time of his union with the Methodists his 
house became a home for the preachers, and a regular place for 
preaching ; and it continued so until the termination of his earthly 
course in 1820, — a period of nearly fifty years. Thus, for nearly 
half a century, he was in the habit of constant association, and 
enjoyed unreserved communion with these " servants of the Most 
High God." The influence of these associations upon his own 
religious feelings, and upon the moral character and immortal des- 
tiny of his children and domestics, eternity only will develope. 

The sound conversion, well regulated life, and improving 
religious experience of the parents, could scarcely fail to produce 
the fruits of righteousness in the hearts and lives of their children. 
Indeed, we would very naturally anticipate such a result. It is 
not surprising, therefore, to find two of the children uniting with 
the parents in a public profession of religion, — embracing the 
privileges, and assuming the responsibilities of " members of the 
body of Christ." This act, on the part of the youth whose life 
we are recording, was deliberately and piously resolved upon 
under the conviction that he was a " partaker of the Divine 
nature," and therefore solemnly obliged to enter into the fellowship 
of the saints in the courts of the Lord's house. Of his awakening 
and conversion he always spoke gratefully, but undoubtingly, and 
with the confiding assurance of a living faith. About the fifteenth 
year of his age he was brought to a sense of his lost condition as 
a sinner ; and some time during the spring of 1773, he found 
" redemption — even the remission of sins." His own account of 
the gracious change wrought in his heart by the Holy Ghost is a 
simple narrative of the experience of all who have any just 
claims to be " called the sons and daughters of the living God." 
His conviction was produced by an incidental remark of his father 
while engaged in a conversation on experimental religion with a 
pious relative. During the conversation in question, the elder Mr. 
Lee maintained, in its simplest interpretation, and to its fullest 
patent, the doctrine of " the assurance of salvation ;" and, as 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



35 



embod}ang his views, and consonant with his personal experience, 
he gave utterance to the sentiment — " If a man's sins were for- 
given him, he would know it." These words were, by the 
powerful working of the Spirit, fixed in the mind of the son, " as 
a nail in a sure place." To use his own words, they " took hold 
of his mind, and he pondered them in his heart." The Master 
of Assemblies fastened them deep in the soul. That night, and 
the next day, he says, " they kept running across my mind ;" 
chasing away the illusions of sin, and the delusions of a false 
hope, until he was led seriously to reflect, and humbly to pray. 
Fie asked himself, " Are my sins forgiven V u No," was the 
terrible and startling response of conscience. He fled to the 
solitude "of the woods, and essayed to pray ; but the tempter 
whispered that he was watched, and again and again he fled to 
seek a deeper solitude, a more secret hiding-place. His distress 
was great, — he felt himself a great sinner. A sense of his sin- 
fulness, and of his exposure to the punishments threatened against 
sinners, embittered all the pleasures of life, and made him call 
upon God with strong crying and tears. He says, " I would 
frequently get by myself, and with many tears pray to God to 
have mercy upon my poor soul, and forgive my sins. Sometimes 
m the open fields I would fall on my knees, and pray and weep 
till my heart was ready to break. At other times my heart was 
so hard that I could not shed a tear. It would occur to my mind, 
' Your day of grace is past, and God will never forgive your sins.' 
It appeared to me that of all sinners in the world I was the 
greatest ; my sins appeared to me greater in magnitude and 
multitude than the sins of any other person." In this state of dis- 
tress, he was entirely destitute of religious associates, with whom 
he might have taken sweet counsel. There were no young people 
in the neighbourhood who were pious, and he felt a repugnance or 
dread to communicate his feelings to the aged. And besides, lie 
felt himself to be so desperate a sinner, that he did not wish any 
one to know how bad he was. For four weeks, he never, for an 
hour, lost sight of his wretched condition. The cry of his soul was, 
" How shall I escape the misery of hell ?" The Bible, the book of 
promise and consolation, was the minister of evil tidings to his soul. 
The flaming sword was flashing from the very centre of its conso- 



36 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



lations. He was afraid to ask the blessings he sought, and longed 
to possess, lest he might incur the condemnation of asking amiss. 
But the day of his redemption was drawing nigh. God, who is 
rich in mercy to all them that call upon him, was not unmindful of 
his promise to save them that seek him with weeping and fasting 
and repentance — the bitter fruits of transgression. As a servant to 
the hand of his master, he was looking upward to God in the 
heayens. He had reached the extremity of distress, and was in 
living dread of the damnation of hell. " One morning," he says, 
" being in deep distress, and fearing every moment I should drop 
into hell, and viewing myself as hanging over the pit, I was con- 
strained to cry in earnest for mercy, and the Lord came to my 
relief, and delivered my soul from the burden and guilt of sin." He 
found " peace and joy in believing," and felt, through all his soul, 
the bliss of pardoning love. " My whole frame," he writes, " was 
in tremor from head to foot, and my soul enjoyed sweet peace. 
The pleasure I then felt was indescribable. This happiness lasted 
about three days, during which time I never spoke to any person 
about my feelings. I anxiously wished for some one to talk to me 
on the subject, but no one did." The result of thus concealing the 
precious gift of God was the loss of the evidence of a gracious state. 
He fell into doubt, and was subject to many perplexing fears. This 
state of inquietude continued about six months before he could 
assuredly believe he was in the favour of God. A religious neigh- 
bour with whom he was travelling, asked him if he "was ever con- 
verted?" This question led to a conversation which greatly 
strengthened him, and encouraged him to tell others what the Lord 
had done for his soul. He renewed his importunities with God, 
and soon after he received such a manifestation of the presence and 
power of God as satisfied him of his acceptance in the Beloved, and 
filled him with peace, love, and joy in the Holy Ghost." He was 
bom of the Spirit, and he went his way rejoicing in hope of the 
glory of God, 1 

These seasons of protracted and increasing darkness, preceding, 
as they did, the ushering in of a bright and joyous day, and 
especially as they are connected with the subsequent steadfast faith 
and joyous experience of Mr. Lee, serve, in some measure, to show 
the way of the Spirit in preparing the young heart for the sturdy 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



37 



endurance of a life of toil and self-sacrifice. A believer in the 
doctrine of a special designation to, and a personal spiritual prepa- 
ration for, the holy work of the ministry, will readily perceive how 
this deep spiritual distress was working out a class of religious 
emotions, and forming and maturing a character whose only hap- 
piness would consist in vigorous self-denial, and active efforts to do 
good. The feelings consequent upon the change wrought in the 
heart of this youth, would have found congenial employment in a 
laborious and scarcely promising effort to build the temple of God 
in the heart of a little child ; and it would have found or invented 
means of doing good in the most barren and desolate moral waste. 
A fountain was opened in his heart from whence pure waters were 
to flow out, to irrigate soils that had been desolate, and give vitality 
to trees that hitherto had borne no fruit. 

His caution, amounting to fear ; his hesitancy to speak of the 
gracious dealings of God with his soul, indicate his determination 
to be satisfied with nothing short of the realization of God's power 
to save. The ministry it was his privilege to attend ; the experi- 
ence of his pious and happy parents, the details of which he had 
often heard ; and the strivings of the Spirit within him, held out the 
promise of a present full salvation, and led him to anticipate the 
knoivledge of salvation, the joyous experience of God's grace in 
justification ; in a word, to expect " the Spirit itself to bear witness 
with his spirit that he was a child of God." And it was even so. 
He knew in whom he had believed, and was joyful in the God of 
his salvation. 

The revival of religion that brought so large an amount of un- 
mixed good into the family of Mr. Lee was the result of God's 
blessing upon the labours of Mr. Jarratt. During the years 1770 
and 1771 there had been a gracious outpouring of the Spirit at a 
place called White Oak, in Dinwiddie county. In this neighbour- 
hood Mr. Jarratt frequently held meetings during the week, and in 
private houses. His custom, on such occasions, was to descend 
from the stiff and formal services of the church, and conduct the 
exercises in a familiar conversational manner ; addressing plain 
and searching questions to various individuals ; and encouraging 
all present to ask him any questions that they might feel necessary 
to their better acquaintance with spiritual things, or for the remo- 



ss 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



val of their doubts and fears. * Such a method could not fail to 
produce serious impressions upon the minds of the people. Or, if 
the preaching of the word, in the church, had awakened reflection, 
these questions, and the instructions accompanying them, were well 
calculated to increase conviction, and facilitate conversion. And 
while it tended to promote correct views of the gospel, as a system 
of Divine principles, and a gracious method of saving sinners, it 
also afforded him an excellent opportunity of ascertaining the re- 
ligious condition of the people, and prepared him to adapt the min- 
istrations of the pulpit to the actual wants of his hearers. From 
. such plans of doing good, seconded, as they were, by the most 
laborious zeal and diligence, the very best results might be expect- 
ed. His labours were greatly blessed. At the time he settled in 
Virginia few parishes had more than seven or eight regular com- 
municants, and these were chiefly among the aged and infirm. 
The great mass of society cared for none of these things, f But 
so great was the success of his ministry, that in less than ten years 
the communicants within reach of the parish church had increased 
to " nine hundred or one thousand." " A great part of these," he 
says, " I trust, were gracious souls, and such as were truly in 
earnest to work out their salvation." 

In this " labour of love," strange as it may seem, Mr. Jarratt, 
though without the sympathy and co-operation of the clergy, was 
not without their marked aversion, and persevering opposition. 
He says, " At my first settlement in the parish, I knew of no min- 
ister, of the then Established Church, who was like-minded with 

* The following questions and the answers he received will serve the double 
purpose of illustrating his manner of conducting these meetings, and of showing 
the profound spiritual ignorance of the people. They are copied from his Life. 
Ques. "What is the difference between the law and gospel?" Ans. "I 
know not of any difference — or, I know not one from the other." Ques. " What 
is the covenant of grace, and what are the terms of it ?" Ans. "I know not — 
I never heard of a covenant of grace, or of any other covenant whatever." 
Ques. " What is conversion ?" Ans. "I know not — I never heard such a word 
in all my life, till I heard it from you." Ques. " What is regeneration — or the 
new birth?" Ans. "I never heard of either — the words are new to me." 
Ques. " Is a man justified by his own works?" Ans. " To be sure — or I 
know not what is to justify him." 

t Life of Rev. D. Jarratt, p. 102, 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



30 



myself, respecting the doctrines I preached and the manner of 
preaching them. I stood alone for some considerable time ; and I 
dare say no man was ever more cordially abhorred, than I was by 
the clergy in general. By them was I frequently threatened with 
writs and prosecutions, &c, for the breach of canonical order. 
One of the most furious wrote me two angry and threatening let- 
ters, reminding me of irregularity, and breach of the 71st canon, 
by preaching in private houses." To the second of these ungra- 
cious letters Mr. Jarratt replied, " That if to preach in a private 
house, or on unconsecrated ground, was a breach of canonical 
order and regularity, then were we all involved in the same con- 
demnation, for I knew not that any clergyman in Virginia ever 
scrupled to transgress that canon, for the sake of forty shillings. 
This was the legal fee for a funeral sermon, under the Establish- 
ment, and for the sake of which, all places were alike sacred, when 
any clergyman was called upon for such a service. I therefore 
asked my incensed brother, whether I, who preached in such places 
without fee or reward, could be more culpable than those who were 
paid for it 1 . . . Moreover, as I knew my testy brother to be very 
fond of cards, dice, tables, &c, which are expressly forbidden us, 
by the 75th canon, I made free to ask, if it was not as criminal, 
and more so, to break the 75th as the 71st canon V It can occasion 
no surprise, after such a reply, to find that Mr. Jarratt closes his 
notice of these shameful transactions with the significant remark — 
" from that time I heard no more of the canons."* 

It is due, however, to truth and historical accuracy, to state that 
at an early period of his ministry, in Bath parish, Mr. Jarratt 
formed an acquaintance with a " clergyman in whom some good 
thing was found." This was the Rev. Mr. M'Robert. It is be- 
lieved he was the rector of Dale parish, Chesterfield county. The 
parish church was called Ware Bottom. The vestiges of the old 
parish church may still be seen near the Methodist Episcopal house 
of worship of the same name. Of Mr. M'Robert, Mr. Jarratt bears 
the following honourable testimony : " He had great gifts for the 
pulpit, and spoke with a degree of animation very unusual at that 
time ; but, like another Apoilos, stood in need of being instructed in 



* Life of Jarratt, pp. 98, 101. 



40 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



the way of the Lord more perfectly." Such instruction he derived 
from intercourse with Mr. Jarratt. They became " dear brethren, 
and faithful fellow-labourers in the work of the Lord ; and were a 
great comfort to each other, visited each other frequently, travelled 
together, and for many years assisted each other in diffusing the 
savour of the knowledge of Christ." But the improved personal 
piety of Mr. M'Robert, not only gave a new impulse to his zeal, 
but induced him to examine his church relations with reference to 
the obligation of remaining in a church so inefficient, and of main- 
taining a connexion with a body of ministers so generally unworthy 
and wicked. The result of the examination was the abandonment 
of the Establishment. He renounced the Church in the year 1779, 
and some time after entered into the fellowship of the Presbyterian 
Church. In 1794 he was yet living and labouring, and, according 
to the testimony of Mr. Jarratt, " still had the cause of God at 
heart."* It is a singular instance of the peculiarities even of good 
men, and of the influence of early prepossessions, that, notwithstand- 
ing the prevailing impiety and bitter hostility of the clergy, Mr. Jarratt 
still preferred a nominal fellowship with them to real and spiritual 
communion with those whom he acknowledged as " living members 
of the body of Christ." Like the vine, he clung to the Establish- 
ment even after its vitality and beauty were gone, and long after 
he had relinquished the hope of its resuscitation to life and activity 
in the work of the Lord. 

The circumstances connected with the early religious life of Mr. 
Lee, were well adapted to his spiritual improvement. The holy 
lives of his parents were an example worthy of imitation, ever pre- 
sent to his mind and always speaking to his heart. The regular 
private and public services of religion in his father's house^ made 
it a holy place, full of holy influences and associations, to renew 
his religious impressions and quicken his pious feelings. And these 
were all kept awake and active by the presence and instructions of 
a class of ministers full of faith, and always zealously affected in a 
good cause. In frequent and familiar intercourse with these holy 
men he was greatly strengthened, and his profiting appeared unto 
all. By privileges such as these, the fire of sacred love, enkindled 



* Life of Jarratt, pp. 100, 101. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



41 



m his heart by the Holy Ghost, was kept constantly and brightly 
burning. He was " growing in grace, and in the knowledge of 
Jesus Christ." Although, it is presumable, the way of life in which 
it was the purpose of God to lead him was not present to his mind, 
it is not improper to regard these opportunities, and their conjoint 
influence upon his moral nature, as indications pointing to the min- 
istry of reconciliation, and designed to work in him a sense of its 
responsibilities, and a fitness for its employments. 

The introduction of Methodism into Virginia is to be regarded 
as one of those events. which find their solution, "not in the 
wisdom of men, but in the power of God." " It is the Lord's 
doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes." The time was 
auspicious — the event proves it to have been providential. Religion 
was a Sunday exercise, an empty round of mere forms. The 
clergy, with the exceptions previously noted, were avaricious and 
immoral ; preaching, marrying, burying, for so many pounds of 
tobacco per annum, or for so many shillings per service. The 
people, in religious things, were on a level with their pastors ; in 
morals, they could scarcely be lower. It was then the humble 
missionary came preaching peace by Jesus Christ. Alone, 
unknown, and unprotected, warm of heart, and confiding in God, 
he proclaimed the day of salvation. Multitudes listened, and 
were enlightened ; a few gave heed, and were saved. God's work 
was commenced. Its consummation belongs to the future his- 
torian. 



42 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



CHAPTER II. 

FROM HIS CONVERSION IN 1773, TO HIS ENTRANCE INTO 
THE MINISTRY IN 1779. 

Religious Condition of England — Wesley — Rise of Methodism — Providential 
Introduction of it into America — Robert Williams — Visits Norfolk, Va. — Mr. 
Pillmore visits Southern States — Controversy with a Clergyman in Norfolk — 
Great Wickedness of the People — Second Visit of Mr. Williams — Preaches 
in the Street — Effect on the Hearers — Visits Petersburg — Forms a Circuit — 
House of Mr. Lee opened for Preaching — Great Revival in 1774-5 — Co-ope- 
ration and usefulness of Mr. Jarratt — Effects of the Revival upon the Reli- 
gious Character of Mr. Lee — Anxiety to do Good — First Public Exhortation — 
Death of R. Williams — His Character and Usefulness — Removal of Mr. Lee 
from his Father's House — Appointed Class-Leader — Habits of Study — 
Preaches his First Sermon in 1779 — Supplies the Place of J. Dickens — What 
Constitutes a Call to the Ministry — Increase of Methodism in Virginia. 

The light of the blessed Reformation which sprung up under 
Luther, and spread with so much rapidity through Europe, had 
become well nigh extinct in England at the birth of Weslejr. The 
" form of godliness" was all that was left of that beauty of holiness 
which had once, and for a long season, adorned the ministry and 
membership of the Established Church. " Like priest like people," 
and " the parson's son is the worst boy in the parish," were 
proverbs no less true in themselves than they were characteristic 
of the times and the manners. Vice clad in priestly garments, read 
sermons and uttered prayers in the pulpit, and immorality, without 
even the covering of the " filthy rags of self- righteousness," sent back 
its responses from the softly cushioned pews. The Church, with 
but here and there an exception, was a vast " valle}^ of death filled 
with the dry bones of the dead." The stillness of worldly prosperity 
had lulled the watchers to sleep, and the winds of error and false 
doctrine had spread spiritual death over the heritage of Christ, 
and finished what worldliness had begun. The fine gold had 
become dim. While the clergy slept, the people were perishing. 
Crowd after crowd passed into the valley of death, and multitudes, 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



48 



heedlessly and without warning, pressed upon their steps, and each, 
as it entered the precincts of the gloomy vale, sent back its forlorn 
and despairing cry — "No man careth for my soul." Religious 
fears and feelings were almost obliterated from the minds of the 
people, and infidelity and ungodliness pervaded all ranks and con- 
ditions of life. A second reformation was needed — a reformation 
that would bring " the power of godliness," in its solid principles 
and transforming experience, to bear upon the moral nature of man. 
A reformation was needed, but a revival, great, powerful and per- 
vasive, was mercifully vouchsafed. God's work of " grace, mercy, 
and peace," was graciously revived. God gave the word — great 
was the multitude that went forth to proclaim the acceptable year 
of the Lord. 

John Wesley was the foremost in this work. His preaching was 
a simple and faithful, but powerful exhibition of the scriptural doc- 
trines of justification by faith, the witness of the Spirit, and entire 
holiness of heart and life. These were novel doctrines, such as 
were found in the homilies, but not in the pulpits of the Establish- 
ment.* The lives, ministry, and writings of the clergy were in 
positive contrast with them, and hence the general and persevering 
opposition to his course. But the truth was mighty, and it 
triumphed. Multitudes in every corner of the land flocked to his 
ministry. Many were convinced of sin, and were brought to a 
personal and happy realization of the truth of the doctrine — we are 
"justified by faith." It was natural for those brought to God by 
his instrumentality, to seek religious counsel of him. This origi- 
nated Methodism. The first Methodist society was formed in Lon- 
don in the latter part of the year 1739. A similar course was 

* Sept. 13, 1739. " A serious clergyman desired to know in what points we 
differed from the Church of England. I answered, ' to the best of my know- 
ledge, in none. The doctrines we preach are the doctrines of the Church of 
England ; indeed, the fundamental doctrines of the Church, clearly laid down, 
both in her Prayers, Articles, and Homilies.' He asked, ' In what points, 
then, do you differ with the other clergy of the Church of England?' I 
answered, 'In none from that part of the clergy who adhere to the doctrines 
of the Church ; but from that part of the clergy who dissent from the Church 
(though they own it not), I differ in the following points.' " He then enume- 
rates Justification, Sanctification, and the New Birth, and points out the 
grounds of difference between them. "Wesley's Works, Amer. edit. ; vol. iii. 
pp. 153, 154. 



44 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



pursued wherever his ministry succeeded in turning men " from the 
power of Satan unto God ;" and thus, without any previous design, 
or any matured plan of organization, he became the founder of the 
Methodist branch of the Church of Christ. 

The introduction of Methodism into America was brought about 
by providential arrangements, rather than by any preconcerted 
human plans. When Wesley commenced his public ministiy in 
Great Britain, the present United States were colonies, under the 
protection, and subject to the laws of England. The population 
of the country was chiefly composed of emigrants from the 
United Kingdom. And it was by this means that Methodism was 
brought into the country. The first Methodist society was formed 
in the city of New York, in 1766, under the ministry of a local 
preacher from Ireland, the Rev. Philip Embury. Within a very 
short time after the formation of the society in New York, the 
Rev. Robert Strawbridge, also a local preacher from Ireland, 
settled in Frederick county, Maryland, and commenced holding 
public meetings, and formed a society near Pipe Creek. About 
the same time a society was formed in Philadelphia.* Under the 
direction of the society in New York, a letter was written to Mr. 
Wesley, informing him of the condition and wants of the societies 
in America, and earnestly imploring him to send ministers to 
their help.j" Mr. Wesley laid the case of the infant societies in 
America before the Conference held at Leeds, in August 1769, 
when " Richard Boardman and Joseph Pillmore willingly offered 
themselves for the service," were accepted, and sent to America. 
They reached Philadelphia on the 24th of October in the same 
year. Soon after their arrival, Mr. Robert Williams, a local 
preacher, came to New York, having " received a permit from 
Mr. Wesley to preach in America, under the direction of the 
regular missionaries." In 1771, Mr. Francis Asbury and Mr. 
Richard Wright were sent to America by Mr. Wesley. They 
landed in Philadelphia on the 27th of October. From these 
principal points Methodism went forth upon its grand moral enter- 
prise, " to spread scriptural holiness over these lands," — a great 

* A Short History of the Methodists, &c, by Rev. Jesse Lee, pp. 24-26. 
t Bangs's History of the M. E. Church, Vol. i. p. 52. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



45 



spiritual mission through wide "fields already white unto the 
harvest." 

Mr. Williams, after preaching awhile in New York, visited Mr. 
Fillmore in Philadelphia, and from thence he travelled into Mary- 
land. In the early part of the year 1772, he was in Norfolk, 
Virginia, where his preaching produced great excitement, and he 
was successful in forming a society. How long he remained in 
Norfolk, or whether he visited any of the adjacent counties or 
towns, we have now no means of ascertaining. It is, however, 
certain, that in the fall of the year he was in Maryland, preparing 
for a second and a more extensive tour through Virginia.* 

" In April 1772, a plan was laid for Mr. Pill more to travel to 
the south and accordingly he " travelled and preached through 
Maryland to Norfolk in Virginia." He reached Norfolk, it is pre- 
sumable, in the summer, and remained preaching regularly until 
the early part of the year 1773. He then travelled through the 
eastern portions of Virginia and North Carolina ; and after spend- 
ing a short time in Charleston, he went " to Savannah, in Georgia, 
and from thence he visited the Orphan House, begun by Mr. Whit- 
field in 1740." This visit was a short one, undertaken, it is likely, 
for the purpose of ascertaining the probabilities of success in send- 
ing ministers " into the harvest."f He returned to Norfolk some time 
in the spring. Before Mr. Pillmore started on this tour of observa- 
tion, he was reinforced by the arrival of the Rev. Messrs. R. Wil- 
liams, and W. Watters. These ministers arrived in Norfolk 
some time in October or November, 1772. Mr. Watters spent 
some time in endeavouring to form a circuit contiguous to Norfolk, 
but after the departure of Mr. Pillmore to the south, took his place, 
and continued in the pastoral oversight of the society until his re- 
turn. Mr. Williams had gone on a preaching excursion to Peters- 
burg, and the adjacent counties. The following extract from the 
journal of Mr. Watters, will show that a society had been formed 
in Norfolk, although it says very little for the piety of those com- 
posing it. He says, page 27, " Weary and much worn down, we 

* Life of Watters, p. 24. Lee's Hist, of Methodists, p. 40. 

t Lee's History of Methodists, p. 40. This conjecture is sustained by the 
fact, that during the same time Mr. Boardman had travelled north as far as 
Boston. 



-16 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



at length came to our journey's end. Our friends in Norfolk re- 
ceived us kindly, but I found very little satisfaction among them 
for some time ; their convictions were slight, and their desires very 
faint, and far the greater part of them could hardly be said to 
have the form of religion. Such Methodists I never had seen, nor 
did I suppose there were such upon earth ; my experience and 
warm feelings led me to conclude that all who bore the name nrast 
be like those with whom I had been acquainted in the neighbour- 
hood I had left. Many hundreds attended preaching, but the most 
hardened, wild, and ill behaved, of any people I had ever beheld in 
any place." It is at least probable that the " experience" (he was 
a young Christian) of Mr. Waiters, and his " warm feelings," 
might furnish an apology, or at least some ground for supposing 
the Methodists of Norfolk were not altogether as bad as he regarded 
them. The picture is a strong one ; it may be indebted for this to 
the warmth of the writer's feelings. It is quite certain that the 
preaching of Mr. Pillmore produced a considerable impression upon 
the public mind. His zeal and faithfulness in preaching the then 
common and principal doctrines of a present, free, and full salva- 
tion through faith in Christ, had brought down upon the infant so- 
ciety the vigorous, and, in that day, customary, opposition of the 
parish minister. During the absence, but, to his surprise, just be- 
fore the return of Mr. Pillmore, the clergyman preached a sermon, 
in which he undertook to represent the Methodists as enthusiasts 
and deceivers. The text selected for this notable purpose was, 
"Be not righteous overmuch." In the discourse, among other 
things, he told the people (what none of them would have otherwise 
suspected,) that he knew, from experience, the evil of being over- 
righteous. He failed to establish his positions, and said so much 
that his friends were dissatisfied. If he thought Mr. Pillmore would 
not return, or that he would take no public notice of the matter, he 
was sadly disappointed in his expectations. Mr. Pillmore returned 
in a very few days, and soon gave public notice of his intention to 
preach on the verse next following the parson's text : — " Be not 
overmuch icicked" At the hour appointed the town seemed to be 
in motion, and a great crowd collected at the place of preaching. 
After reading his text, he said he had been informed that a certain 
divine of the town had given the citizens a solemn caution against 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



47 



being over -righteous. Then lifting up his hands, and with a \ cry 
sio-aificant countenance, he exclaimed — " And in Norfolk he hath 
given this caution ! ! !" That was enough. The conduct of the 
parson was rendered odious and contemptible, and the people were 
unexpectedly, but severely, rebuked. What other effect the con- 
troversy produced we know not. The writer of these notices con- 
cludes his personal recollections of Norfolk, in the following simple 
and characteristic language : " Though these were severe reproofs, 
and from one capable of forming a sound judgment, yet Norfolk con- 
tinued Norfolk as long as I knew anything about it : and it was no 
ways strange to me that in a few years it was consumed by fire." 
Again, on page 34, he speaks of Norfolk as " the most wicked 
place I ever set my foot in."* The religious prospect in Ports- 
mouth was considered more promising by Mr. Watters, yet he 
thought " the real work in both places was very superficial indeed." 
"What hath God wrought!" Now, in 1847, Norfolk, to use the 
idea of Mr. Watters, is less Norfolk than it was in 1772. And 
Portsmouth is full' of the blessed fruits of what it then so richly 
promised to diligent and faithful cultivation. Were the warm- 
hearted author of the above notices now living, and could he visit 
places once so full of the leaven of wickedness, he would find in 
each a 'large and pious Church, zealous for God, and active in every 
good work ; and in a far different sense he might exclaim, " Such 
Methodists I have never or rarely seen." 

The visit of Mr. Williams to Norfolk in the fall of 1772, above 
mentioned, was not the first time he had appeared there on the 
purposes of his mission. He had, according to the account of the 
Rev. Jesse Lee,")" preached in Norfolk " in the first part of the 
year." His preaching was singularly earnest and pointed, and 
produced a powerful sensation. The following account of it, es- 
pecially as Mr. Williams is unquestionably to be regarded as the 

* Mr. Watters was not alone in his opinion of the wickedness of Norfolk, as 
the following anecdote of Mr. Pillmore will show. On his return from the 
south, "as Mr. P. passed through Portsmouth, two men, well dressed, were 
cursing most horridly. He lifted up his hands, and with a stern voice exclaimed 
aloud — 4 Well! if I had been brought to this place blindfolded, I should have 
known I was near Norfolk.' " 

t History of the Methodists, p. 40. 



18 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



Apostle of Methodism in Virginia, and also as he received the 
family of Mr. Lee into the fold of the Church, cannot prove other- 
wise than interesting. 

" In the first part of the year 1772, Mr. Robert Williams made 
his first visit to Norfolk, in Virginia, and without any previous 
notice being given, he went to the court-house, and standing on 
the steps of the door, and beginning to sing, the people collected 
together ; and after prayer he took his text and preached to 
a considerable number of hearers, who were very disorderly, as 
they all thought the preacher a madman : and while he was 
preaching the people were laughing, talking, and walking about in 
all directions. The general conclusion was, that they never heard 
such a man before : for they said, ' sometimes he would preach, 
then he would pray, then he would swear, and at times he would 
cry.' The people were so little used to hearing a preacher say 
hell, or devil, in preaching, that they thought he was swearing, 
when he told them about going to hell, or being damned if they 
died in their sins. As he was believed to be a madman, none of 
them invited him to their houses. However, he preached at the 
same place the next day, when they found out he was not insane, 
and they were glad to get him to their houses. This may be con- 
sidered as the beginning of Methodism in Virginia. And it was 
not long before a Methodist society was formed in the town of Nor- 
folk."* From the account that has reached us of the character 
of Mr. Williams, this may be regarded as a very just description of 
his preaching. 

It was in the latter part of the year 1772, or the beginning of 
1773, that Mr. Williams commenced preaching in the neighbour- 
hood of Petersburg. He spent one week in the family of Mr. Jar- 
ratt, and preached several times in his parish. f He extended his 
labours through many of the contiguous counties, and a very gen- 
eral awakening seems to have attended his ministry. Early in 
1774 he commenced forming societies ; and in the summer laid the 
plan of a circuit that, beginning at Petersburg, extended some dis- 
tance into North Carolina. It was called Brunswick circuit. This 

* History of the Methodists, p. 41. 
tLife of Jarratt, pp. 107-110. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



4§ 



was the first regular circuit formed in Virginia. There were at 
that time H 60 Methodists in America. Of these one hundred were 
in Virginia. These were converted principally under the ministry 
of Mr. Williams. " The foundation of God standeth sure ; because 
it is laid in truth and righteousness." In these small beginnings, God 
was mercifully preparing the way for richer and more amazing dis^- 
plays of his grace. The people had long sat in the very shadow 
of spiritual death. But the time of deliverance was drawing nigh. 
A fire was kindled in Virginia that burns yet, and will grow brighter 
and brighter through the corning periods of time. 

The family of Mr. Lee having connected themselves with the 
societies under the pastoral care of Mr. Williams, he opened his 
house for preaching, and it was taken as one of the regular ap- 
pointments of the newly formed circuit. The opening of his house 
for the public worship of God was of great spiritual benefit to the 
family. It was especially so to the youthful subject of these pages. 
He was necessarily often in the company of the ministers, and 
derived from his intercourse with them both pleasure and profit. 
This intercourse was highly prized by him. It was indeed a great 
privilege, and its results were, no doubt, seen in the choice and 
pursuits of his subsequent life. There was at least, a present, di- 
rect, and powerful influence exerted over him by these opportunities 
of social intercourse. But it was chiefly in the preaching of the 
word, and the worship usually connected with it, that he found most 
instruction and comfort. A sermon preached soon after the forma- 
tion of the church in his father's house, it is presumable, by Mr. 
Williams, had the happy effect of awakening in his mind a solemn 
sense of the necessity of inward holiness. He was, and had been 
from the beginning of his Christian course, happy in the conscious- 
ness of acceptance in the Beloved. Yet he felt the workings of sin 
in his members, and was sometimes " in heaviness through mani- 
fold temptations." In the sermon alluded to, the minister spoke of 
the work of the Holy Spirit on the heart, and of the sanctification 
of soul, body, and spirit, as the gracious effect of that work. The 
impression it made on his mind was deep and abiding. He sought 
to know the mind of the Spirit as it is revealed in the word of God, 
and found it demanded holiness of heart and life — holiness in prin- 
ciple and feeling, in thought, word, and action, and a will subdued 
4 



50 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



and submissive to the will of God. He saw that the Bible pointed 
to the atonement of Christ as to a fountain of life and salvation, 
and that it was a " fountain opened for sin and uncleanness." The 
need of being cleansed from unrighteousness he already painfully 
felt, and he was conscious that all his salvation was "hid wilh 
Christ in God ;" and he was resolved to seek the gracious fulfilment 
of the promise : " I will circumcise thy heart, — and thou shalt love 
the Lord thy God with all thy soul, and with all thy heart, and with 
all thy mind, and with all thy strength." In secret places he 
poured out his soul before God. He called earnestly upon God. 
His prayer was heard, his faith accepted, and he was made to re- 
joice in hope of being cleansed by the all-sufficient grace of Christ. 
And if he was not at that time, " washed and sanctified in the name 
of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of God," yet he was full of 
faith, full of peace, full of love. In the strength of that blessing he 
went many years. It was a green spot in his memory, fresh and 
fruitful even in age and dissolution. Yet his soul was still longing 
for perfect love. 

The labours of Mr. Williams were still a blessing to the people in 
the neighbourhood in which Mr. Lee resided. In the latter end of 
the year 1774, there was a great revival of religion. Many of the 
friends and acquaintances of Mr. Lee were brought to experience 
the pardon of sin, and the assurance of salvation. In this revival 
his own soul was greatly blessed, and he esteemed it a privilege to 
attend the meetings, although he had to walk many miles to do it. 
Speaking of this revival, he says : " I felt greatly quickened and 
comforted with the Divine Presence. I had little inclination to be in 
any other than religious company. I was always glad to go to 
meeting by night or by day, and sometimes went on foot many 
miles, and thought myself highly favoured in that respect." 

In the year 1775, the circuit formed by Mr. Williams was sup- 
plied with three able and effective ministers. These ministers were 
full of zeal, and were " in labours abundant." Their preaching was 
accompanied by evidences of power and success truly marvellous. 
The account given of this revival by Mr. Lee, sustains this idea of 
its character. He says : " It was quite common for sinners to be 
seized with a trembling and shaking, and from that to fall down on 
the floor as if they were dead : and many of them have been con. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 51 

vulsed from head to foot, while others have retained the use of their 
tongues so as to pray for mercy, while they were lying helpless on 
the ground or floor." The zeal of Christians in those days was 
only less than that which animated the hearts of the chosen minis- 
ters of Christ. They were all " workers together with God." If 
the Lord opened the heart of a sinner under the preaching of his 
word, preachers and people would gather around him to instruct 
and pray for him ; and they would protract their meetings for days 
together, and to late hours at night, if haply they might further the 
cause of Christ. Mr. Asbury, who, in the early part of the year, 
had charge of the societies in Norfolk and Portsmouth, visited 
Brunswick circuit in November, and rendered very efficient service 
in the revival. They also had the very valuable aid of Mr. Jarratt. 
Mr. Lee, in his History, page 54, says, " Mr. Jarratt was very useful 
in that revival, and'his heart tvas closely united with the Metho- 
dists. He would frequently preach, meet the classes, hold love- 
feasts, and administer the Lord's Supper among them. He was 
an eye-witness of this work." The work thus powerfully begun 
was not partial in its effects, nor short in its duration. Thousands 
were converted to God during its progress ; and it extended through 
a district of country several hundred miles in extent. For several 
years sucessively, these revivals prevailed, to the great comfort of 
God's people, and the rapid multiplication of believers. Nor have 
the influences then set in motion yet ceased to operate. Many yet live 
who were brought to God in those times of gracious power. They 
are fathers in Israel now, cherishing a grateful recollection of the 
revivals in the early days of Methodism in Virginia, and a joyful 
anticipation of a not distant, but glorious reunion with those with 
whom, in the days of their youth, they " took sweet counsel, and 
went to the house of God in company." 

These blessed revivals were excellent nurseries for " babes in 
Christ." Amidst scenes of such deep and hallowing interest, the 
piety of Mr. Lee was cradled, and his religious principles were 
formed and matured. " During these seasons," he says, " my 
soul was greatly blessed, and for the greater part of my time I 
was 1 strong in faith, giving glory to God.' I had such confidence 
m, and love to God and his service, that I was willing to be any- 

i 



52 THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 

thing or nothing, so that God might be all in all." Submission 
to God, a willingness to be 

" Little and unknown, 
Loved and prized by God alone," 

as it is the happiest state of the mind, so it is the strongest and 
most consoling indication of the increase and triumph of grace in 
the soul of man. Humility is a priceless gem. Happy he in 
whose heart it reigns, — over whose moral nature it sheds the 
savour of its sanctifying and heaven-honoured influences. The 
fruits of the Spirit were developing themselves in the heart and 
life of this young disciple of Christ ; and he was daily becoming 
stronger in faith, and more diligent in«the various duties of his 
calling. " The Spirit itself bore witness with his spirit that he 
was a child of God." His heart was enlarged, and he rejoiced in 
the constant experience of " the power of godliness." Still he 
was not satisfied. He was graciously permitted to drink of the 
stream of love, but he desired to bathe in the fountain, — to be 
cleansed from all unrighteousness. Even this manifestation of 
the riches of grace was mercifully granted unto him. At a 
Quarterly Meeting held at Boisseau's Chapel, Dinwiddie county, 
in the spring of 1776, there was a most powerful outpouring of 
the Spirit. Many were " born of the Spirit," and brought into 
favour with God. The people of God were greatly blessed, and 
several professed to experience a deeper work of grace — even the 
sanctijication of their souls. Here were witnesses of the truth 
that "the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin." He could 
not question the work wrought in them ; he could not doubt its 
freeness for him. He saw the excellency of the blessing ; he felt 
its necessity. The following extract from bis Journal shows the 
nature of his feelings-, the purposes he formed, and the happiness 
he enjoyed even while seeking a blessing he so soon and so 
richly experienced. He says : " I went home with a fixed 
determination to seek for a deeper work of grace, and to hope, 
and pray, and wait for that perfect love which casteth out all fear. 
I did firmly believe that the Lord was both able and willing, to 
save to the uttermost all that would come to him. I felt a sweet 
distress in my soul for holiness of heart and life. I sensibly felt 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



that while I was seeking for purity of heart, I grew in grace, and 
in the knowledge of God. This concern of soul lasted for some 
time, till at length I could say, ' I have nothing but the love of 
Christ in my heart.' I was assured that my soul was continually 
happy in God. The world, with all its charms, is crucified to me? 
and I am crucified to the world" God is love. There is 
richness and beauty in this declaration of the Apostle, even to 
the unthankful and the unholy. It is full of meaning to the 
minds of those who have tasted that the Lord is gracious. But 
to the heart cleansed from sin, and possessed of perfect love, it 
has a significancy that is truly " unspeakable and full of glory." 
So Mr. Lee found it to be. He had the witness in himself. The 
love of God was shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost — 
even perfect love — casting out all fear, and filling his soul with 
peace and joy. 

This happy change was wrought in the heart of Mr. Lee, while 
he was yet young in years and religion. He belonged to the 
class — young men — to whom the beloved disciple wrote that they 
should " love not the world, neither the things of the world," by 
obedience to which injunction, he assured them they should " over- 
come the wicked one, and abide for ever," happy and safe in the 
grace and love of God. He was in the eighteenth year of his age, 
and the fourth of his religious profession, when he found this 
" pearl of great price." His habits of studying the Bible, his un- 
reserved and frequent intercourse with ministers, the hallowed in- 
fluences of family religion, and his own faithfulness in the service 
of God, all united to prevent deception, and prepared him duly to 
weigh, and rightly to understand the way of the Spirit, and the 
work of God in his own soul. He was prepared therefore, to dis- 
tinguish between being " horn of the Spirit," a babe in Christ, and 
being " filled with the Spirit," sanctified wholly, and made a tem- 
pie for the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. Hence he regarded it as 
a distinct work of grace wrought in his heart by the Spirit of God. 
It was not an enlargement of the work of regeneration, but the 
completion of it. That brought pardon and peace to his soul ; this 
cleansed him from all unrighteousness, and filled hirn with perfect 
love. It was a crucifixion of all that was worldly and sinful in 
5* 



54 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



his heart ; and a resurrection of his soul to the life and blessedness 
of righteousness and true holiness. 

To any familiar with the workings of the Spirit, it can be no 
matter of surprise to find one thus brought into the enjoyment of 
full Christian liberty, anxious to promote a work that was so 
fraught with blessings to himself. As a moral being, enlightened 
by religious truth, he felt the importance of exhibiting an example 
of Christian excellence to his associates ; and as a Christian he 
acknowledged the obligation of doing all the good, of every kind, 
in his power. Beyond this he was animated by a strong " desire 
to do all the good he could." Hence, during the gracious revivals 
that occurred in the circuit for several successive years, he was 
diligently employed in measures to enlarge their influence, and in- 
crease their success. He sought opportunities of conversing with 
his acquaintance upon the subject of personal religion, and of im- 
pressing them with the importance of escaping " the wrath to 
come," by a hearty repentance, and true faith in Christ. Or, du- 
ring his attendance on the frequent and protracted meetings of the 
times, he sought the mourners in Zion, and opened to them the 
way of salvation. As meetings were frequently held in the ab- 
sence of the ministers, he would sometimes deliver a public exhor- 
tation, although his youth and diffidence made him reluctant to ap- 
pear in public as a speaker. In a Manuscript Journal of his, now 
in my possession, the following entry occurs : " March 8th, 1778. 
I gave my first exhortation at Benjamin Doles'." It is probable 
he considered this his first regular, authorized exhortation ; not 
willing to think the brief and imperfect remarks he might have 
made during the revivals in his father's neighbourhood as worthy 
of being dignified with such a name. He was now in 'North Ca- 
rolina, having left his native state in the latter part of the preced- 
ing year, to superintend the temporal affairs of a near relation 
whose husband had recently died. 

Previous to the time to which we have brought the personal his- 
tory of Mr. Lee, the Rev. Robert Williams, the pioneer of Metho- 
dism in Virginia, had departed this life. A brief record of his 
life is due to the memory of this excellent man, and it forms a 
bright page of the history of the times in which he lived. Mr. 
Williams was an Englishman, and was an authorized local preacher 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



55 



in connexion with Mr. Wesley. How long he had been engaged 
in preaching previous to his embarkation for America, we have no 
information to guide us in determining. His emigration to this 
country as a Wesleyan preacher, was with the permission, rather 
than under the commission of Mr. Wesley ; yet he was authorized 
to preach under the direction of the regular missionaries. His visit 
was induced, partly by temporal business, but chiefly by a desire, 
which he seems to have cherished for some time previously, to 
preach the gospel in America. In a conversation with a friend in 
Ireland, Mr. Ashton, who at the time was contemplating a remo- 
val, Mr. Williams gave him his word to accompany him, if he 
came to settle permanently in the country. Some time afterward 
he learned that " Mr. Ashton had embarked for America, and, ac- 
cording to his promise, he hurried down to the town near to which 
the ship lay, sold his horse to pay his debts, and taking his saddle- 
bags on his arm, set off to the ship, with a loaf of bread and a bot- 
tle of milk, and no money to pay his passage. For that, how- 
ever, he trusted to his friend, and his confidence v/as not misplaced. 
He arrived in the city of New York, in October 1769, and 
preached in Wesley Chapel previous to the arrival of Messrs. 
Boardman and Pillmore in that city. After preaching awhile for 
the church in New York, he visited Mr. Pillmore in Philadelphia, 
by whom he was examined and granted a general license to preach. 
From Philadelphia he visited Mr. Strawbridge in Maryland ; and 
with him and the Rev. John King, recently arrived from London, 
" began a good work in Baltimore county, and some other parts of 
the state." In 1771, the latter part of the year, he was engaged 
in a missionary tour upon the Eastern Shore of Maryland ; and in 
the beginning of 1772, he made his first visit to Virginia. At the 
first Conference ever held in America, in Philadelphia, June 1773, 
he was admitted into the travelling connexion, and sent to labour 
in Virginia. Of his success in planting Methodism in Virginia we 
have given an account. Mr. Williams entered into the holy estate 
or matrimony, it is presumable, some time in 1774; and, according 
to the phraseology of the times, " desisted from travelling." He 
was probably the first Methodist minister in America that married, 
the first that located, and the first that died. After his location, he 
resided on the public road between Norfolk and Suffolk, in Virgi- 



56 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



nia; and here he died, and was buried. His death occurred on the 
26th of September, 1775. Mr. Asbury, who was at the time 
preaching in Norfolk and Portsmouth, under the same date makes 
the following characteristic remark in his journal: "Brother W. 
died. The Lord does all things well : perhaps Brother W. was in 
danger of being entangled in worldly business, and might thereby 
have injured the cause of God. So he was taken away from the 
evil to come." A recollection of Mr. Asbury's peculiar notions of 
matrimony among ministers, and of his strong opposition to their 
locating, will serve to show that the extract respecting Mr. Williams 
is but the expression of a holy regard for the work of God, and 
not the language of distrust, with regard to the upright life and 
safe termination of the course of his departed brother. After the 
settlement of Mr. Williams, his house became a home for his 
brethren, and a regular place for preaching. A few weeks before 
his death, Mr. Asbury had preached there on two occasions during 
his regular excursions to the country.* No stone marks the spot 
where this faithful and holy man moulders in silent dust ; and no 
records describe with what feelings he met his last enemy, or what 
shout of triumph he raised at the portals of death's gloomy do- 
main. It is enough, however, to know how he lived. Mr. Jarrattf 
speaks of him as "a plain, simple-hearted, pious man and adds, 
" this was his general character." Of his preaching, in addition 
to what has been previously said, Mr. Jarratt bears this testimony : 
" I liked his preaching, in the main, very well, and especially the 
affectionate and animated manner in which his discourses were 
delivered." No wonder that he should say, " I felt much attach- 
ment to Mr. Williams." Mr. LeeJ also, in recording the death of 
a man so worthy of being had in remembrance, says : " Although 
he is dead, he yet speaketh to many of his spiritual children, 
while they remember his faithful preaching and his holy zcalk." 

It is an interesting fact in the personal history of Mr. Williams 
that he was the first American Methodist that employed the press 
as an auxiliary to the spread of holiness. Some time previous to 

* Asbury's Journal, vol. i. pp. 118, 119. 

t Life, pp. 107, 108. 

t Hist, of the Methodists, p. 53 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



57 



the first Conference, he had " reprinted many of Mr. Wesley's 
books, and had spread them through the country, to the great ad- 
vantage of religion." The sermons of Mr. Wesley are particu- 
larly spoken of as having achieved great good in explaining the 
doctrine of regeneration and the way of salvation. Withal, they 
were pioneers for the preachers, and procured them invitations to 
preach in places where they were previously unknown. At the 
Conference in Philadelphia, June 1773, the practice was inter- 
dicted, and the following rule adopted, which, with some modifica- 
tions, remains to the present time. " No preacher shall be per- 
mitted to reprint our books, without the approbation of Mr. Wesley, 
and the consent of his brethren." By a special enactment it was 
settled " that R. Williams shall be allowed to sell what he has, 
but to reprint no more." This shows that the rule had a particu- 
lar application, and that the practice of Mr. Williams was the 
cause of its adoption. One object of this regulation was the desire 
to make the publication of books, and the profits arising from the 
sale of them, a denominational concern. To this small beginning 
the present " Book Concern," with its numerous auxiliaries, and 
countless benefits, may be directly traced. 

It is not to be supposed that Mr. Williams met with no opposi- 
tion in his holy work of preaching the gospel in Virginia. In 
some parts of the state immense multitudes attended his ministry. 
This excited the hostility of " unreasonable and wicked men." 
These " evil-minded persons opposed the act of toleration, and 
threatened to imprison him." If Mr. Jarratt had been threatened 
with punishment for the breach of canonical order, in preaching 
in unconsecrated places, it can afford no ground for surprise to find 
Mr. Williams opposed, and the gloomy cells of a prison held up 
*x> deter him from doing his master's work. But he was " in no- 
thing terrified by his adversaries ;" and he held fast the form of 
sound words, and maintained his integrity until he was gathered 
to " the general assembly and Church of the first-born in 
heaven." 

The removal of Mr. Lee from his father's house was, on many 
grounds, beneficial to him. This important event in his life took 
place in the latter part of the year 1777. The temporal welfare 
of a widowed relation, was the ostensible cause of his separation 



58 THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 

from scenes and associations sacred in their nature, and hallowing 
in their recollections. But there was a higher agent than the im- 
pulses of his own benevolence moving his heart. God was thrust- 
ing him out from his home and early ties and occupations, and 
leading him, through a wider field of usefulness, into the more ex- 
tended labours and responsibilities of the ministry. Circum- 
stances are not wanting to show that the impression of a probable 
future entrance into,this work had been made upon his mind. The 
maturity of his Christian experience, the zeal that so eminently 
distinguished him, his burning anxiety to do good, and his readi- 
ness to every good word and work, together with his diligence in 
the improvement of his mind by the reading of good books, and 
the study of the Bible, all indicate that the Spirit was preparing 
his heart, and Providence pointing his way to the holy employ- 
ments of the ministry. These views are sustained by his own 
subsequent and more mature judgment of the subject. " I have 
often admired," he says, " the providence of God in opening the 
way for me to remove to North Carolina ; for had I continued 
among my relations in Virginia, I might not have begun my public 
labours so soon : for at that time of my life I was very timid. But 
when I removed among strangers, I lost, in some degree, my 
former fearfulness." It is true this separation from home and 
friends was painful. It was his first adventure in the world ; and 
he knew too well " w r hat is in man " not to distrust his own heart. 
But he was assured of the rectitude of his motives, and knew in 
whom he had believed. He therefore feared nothing, but trusted 
that in this, as in all things else, Christ would " do all things 
well." 

It is too often the case that a change of residence, though not 
really calculated to do so, operates to produce an entire alteration 
in the feelings and habits of Christians. The absence of old asso- 
ciations, and the presence of new and strange scenes and engage- 
ments, occupy so much of the time and attention, that religious 
principles are forgotten, and pious duties neglected, or only par- 
tially observed. In new situations, circumstances are not always 
favourable to the cultivation of devotional feelings. And sometimes 
they are gladly embraced, as affording a good opportunity to throw 
off the restraints of a profession whose spirit has been lost, and 



THE REV . JESSE LEE. 



59 



whose duties have become irksome. But a Christian, " rooted and 
grounded in love," will recognise the power of religious principle 
in every condition of life ; and find means of usefulness under all 
circumstances, however unpromising. In the void waste, as in 
the thronged city, God will be present to his faith and his fears ; 
and he can never be at a loss for employment while sin remains in 
his heart, or vain thoughts find a lodgment in his mind. If he is 
deprived of Christian society, he will endeavour to create it out of 
the materials around him ; and if his efforts fail, he will still have 
a well-spring of comfort in fellowship with God, and communion 
with his own heart. At the time of which we are writing, Christian 
society was not as common as it is now ; still Mr. Lee did not re- 
move beyond the range of its influence. He was still within the 
limits of the then small, but ever enlarging, circle of Methodism. 
His first step, as it was his first duty, was to identify himself with 
the people of God. He " united with the class" in the neighbour- 
hood, as soon as he was settled in his new residence. By thus 
seeking a means of grace, which Methodists have always regarded 
as the best prudential regulation known to the Churches of Christ, 
and fondness for which they consider an indication of a healthy 
spiritual state, he gave a gratifying evidence of the fixedness of his 
religious principles, and of his sincere desire to dwell in the courts 
of the Lord's house, to enjoy its shelter, and partake of its bless- 
ings. He was too familiar with the exercises of the class-room, 
their revivifying influence upon the religious affections, and their 
hallowing impressions upon the moral nature, to lightly esteem, or 
wilfully neglect them. It is not surprising, to any accustomed to 
these meetings, that they should be so loved, or that so high an 
estimate should be placed upon their spiritual efficiency. They 
are truly strongholds of safety and defence to the young in Christ, 
and they form most excellent schools for practical and experimental 
theology. Nor is this all ; they are nurseries for the ministry. 
The searching inquiries of a strong-minded and holy class-leader 
open the mind to the perception of spiritual truths, and lay the heart 
bare to the counsel of experience, and the control of conscience. 
They enlighten and influence the thinking faculty ; and thus have 
the two-fold effect of awakening the mind and supplying it with 
material. The habit of speaking, too, so common to class-meetings, 



60 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



i» not to be left out in an estimate of their value. In this respect 
they have a most important agency in preparing young Christians 
for usefulness in the Church of Christ. Many who have become 
masters in Israel have here learned to speak of the wonderful 
works of God. 

It is the policy of Methodism, and it is one cause of its abundant 
success, to give employment to all the talents to be found in its 
ranks. It has work for all, and all are expected to work. In ac- 
cordance with this feature of our ecclesiastical economy, we find 
Mr. Lee, at this early period of his life, and not through his own 
seeking, entering upon a higher sphere of duty. He was now 
residing in the Roanoke circuit, under the pastoral care of the 
Rev. Wm. Glendenning. In the early part of the year 1778, he was 
appointed class-leader by the minister in charge of the circuit. 
Having given himself up to the service of God, and his Church, 
he did not feel himself at liberty to refuse this appointment. As he 
had a true and lively zeal for the cause of Christ, he felt con- 
strained to regard it as a call from God, and to embrace it as . a 
means of doing good. Yet it was with no vain self-confidence that 
he entered upon the duties of his new vocation. He says : " I felt 
it to be a heavy cross, yet I dared not refuse. I began with fear 
and trembling, and often wished to be excused. I loved the cause 
of God, and was willing to do all I could ; but being young, not 
quite twenty years of age, I was sensible of my danger, and of 
my own weakness. When I met the class, I frequently wept much 
while I was talking to the people about the welfare of their souls." 
Humbleness of mind, especially when united with a vigorous per- 
formance of duty, is a sure indication of a special designation of 
the Holy Ghost. But the class-room was too limited a field for 
his enlarged desires to do good. He struck out a new path, and 
entered upon a larger sphere of usefulness. He commenced hold- 
ing prayer-meetings in his own neighbourhood, and also in the 
societies adjacent to him. His great aim in these meetings, was to 
promote the work of God among the people, by, in his own simple 
heartfelt language, " begging them to be reconciled to God.'"' In 
these humble efforts much of his time was occupied ; and, if in no 
other way, he found in his own soul the fulfilment of the remark, 
" in all labour there is profit." " I seldom gave an exhortation," he 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



61 



says, " without weeping, for my heart yearned over the souls of 
poor sinners. At that time, I could truly say, * the zeal of thy house 
hath eaten me up.' " In all this time he had formed no definite 
plan with respect to the pursuits of life ; he had no settled purpose 
of devoting himself to the work of the ministry. He " only wished 
to exhort and pray, and live to do good to the souls of the people." 

But God had prescribed the way in which his young servant was 
to glorify Him, and he was gradually working in him a meetness 
for the holy employments to which his future life was to be de- 
voted. He was not disobedient to the heavenly calling ; and hence, 
in the presence of the multitude, or in the solitude of the closet, he 
enjoyed a sweet and satisfying sense of the presence and favour of 
God. His " chief wish and greatest concern was to know the 
will of God, and do it in all things, both great and small." 

Filial affection filled a large place in the heart of Mr. Lee. He 
went out from his father's house under the persuasion that it was 
the will of God ; yet he did not regard it as releasing him from 
the obligation of honouring his parents, or of yielding to them all 
the evidences of filial reverence and respect. In the earlier and 
more mature periods of his life, he regarded the law of sub- 
mission to his parents as only a little less commanding than the 
law of obedience to God. To both he rendered implicit and 
uncomplaining submission. He sought annually to visit his 
parents, to please and comfort them, and to satisfy his own sense 
of duty ; and doubtless, also, to renew the impressions of his 
first love, and to reinvigorate his soul by Christian communion 
with those amongst whom he had first experienced the power of 
godliness. Nor was he unemployed during these visits. In all 
places, and under all circumstances, his heart was fixed. The 
first visit to the home of his childhood, as it exhibits his religious 
feelings, and the custom of his father's house to improve all 
occasions into means of usefulness, we will give in his own 
words : 

" In the close of the year I went to visit my friends in Virginia, 
and was at meeting with them in different places, and exhorted 
them publicly, and with much earnestness, to flee the wrath to 
come, and prepare for a better world. I was much pleased to 



62 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



find many of my old friends steadily pursuing their journey lo 
heaven. 

" On Christmas day we had a precious love-feast at my father's, 
where the Christians were highly favoured of the Lord, and 
greatly comforted together in hearing each other tell of the good- 
ness of God to their souls." 

Happy is that family whose God is the Lord, — whose bonds are 
forged in heaven, and whose intercourse is the relaxation of the 
higher and holier affinities of the temple service of Jehovah ! 

It is not to be thought that Mr. Lee was exclusively occupied 
with religious meetings. These were his meat and drink, and 
they were chief matters with him ; but he had other objects to 
engage his attention. He had to superintend a farm, and often 
to " labour with his own hands." He often toiled all day, and held 
meeting at night. And yet he did not neglect the improvement 
of his mind. He availed himself of all the helps within reach, 
and adopted such plans of gaining and preserving information as 
seemed most conducive to so desirable an object. Much of his 
time was given to this matter. He read with carefulness such 
books, as, in those days of scarcity, he could procure. He also 
adopted the plan of noting down the sermons he heard preached, 
the name of the preacher, the text, and the general divisions of 
the subject. It was in January 1778 he commenced this plan, 
and he continued it to the close of his life. It formed no part of 
his original purpose to keep a journal, or to write an account 
of his own religious exercises ; yet it ere long received such a 
modification, and in the course of his ministerial career his text- 
book was swelled into nearly, or quite three thousand pages of 
manuscript. It these "journals he duly registered the name of 
every author he read, with the number of pages the book con- 
tained. He also kept an exact account of every quarterly meeting 
he attended, together with the number of love-feasts at which he 
was present. General and Annual Conferences were regularly 
noticed, with the time, place, and every remarkable circumstance 
attending them."* These facts serve to show his close attention 
to what was passing around him, as well as his great anxiety 



*Rev. M. Thrift. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



63 



to increase his stock of knowledge. His own experience is the 
best illustration of the usefulness of his plans. " This plan," he 
says, " of noting down the sermons I heard, was of great service 
to me. It fixed useful things in my memory, and gave me a view 
of the method and manner of preaching, and brought me to a 
much better judgment of the nature and substance of the doc- 
trines to be raised from certain texts. All these things being put 
together, my mind was led thereby to the Lord Jesus Christ , as 
the meritorious cause of all the blessings I enjoyed. The benefit 
which I have derived to my own soul from the above plan, causes 
me still to feel thankful that he ever directed and guided me in 
that way. For in these things I took no man for my pattern, and 
no man's plan for my guide." Christ was all, and in all, to Mr. 
Lee. He was not only recognised as controlling the pursuits and 
governing the events of life, but all life's objects and employments 
led to and terminated in Christ. He was right. Christ should 
occupy the uppermost seat in the heart. 

The books he read in pursuance of his plans of improvement, 
form a part of Mr. Lee's personal history during the period now 
passing under review. The list for 1778 is lost. That for 1779, 
when, as yet, no material change in his business habits had taken 
place, will show his fondness for reading, and the nature of the 
subjects that engaged his attention. Among these works we find 
an enumeration of tracts of ten pages and upwards to volumes of 
eight hundred pages. Some are doctrinal and controversial, others 
treat of personal religion, and of the Christian experience of God's 
people. All are strictly moral and religious. , Among them may 
be noticed, The Character of a Methodist, Scripture Doctrines, Pre- 
destinarian and his Friend, The Saint's Everlasting Rest, Wesley's 
Appeal, Dissenting Gentleman, Doddridge's Rise and Progress, 
Whitefield's Journal, Brainerd's Journal. The New Testament is 
named as having been read twice. In all, his reading for the 
year amounted to 2984 pages. His selection, considering the 
times, was a judicious one, and the quantity of his reading, under 
the circumstances of his situation, is very creditable, and evinces 
great industry and perseverance. Many with very superior ad- 
vantages accomplish far less than he did. 

Early in 1779 Mr. Lee returned to North Carolina, and re-en- 



64 HE LIFE AND TIMES OF 

tered into business. He does not state in what particular business 
he engaged, but the choice he made, whether of a partner, or an 
employer, shows how entirely he made religion the grand master 
principle of his feelings and pursuits. His own language upon 
this topic needs no interpreter : 

" In the beginning of 1779, I engaged in business with G 

L , with whom I expected to find much comfort in the course 

of the year, as he was, in my esteem, one of the best private Chris- 
tians that I was acquainted with. It turned out according to my 
expectations, and my soul was greatly blessed, quickened, and com- 
forted during that year, and the man with whom I lived acted 
towards me as a father, and a brother, and gave me much informa- 
tion and encouragement in religious matters. I spent all the time 
I could spare from my common vocation, in reading or in going to 
meeting." The ordinary engagements of life were made to sub- 
serve his supreme purpose of knowing, loving, and obeying God. 
He made them " instruments of righteousness unto holiness." 

It was during this year he was brought to that position with 
respect to the Church of God, which so many circumstances had 
seemed to point out as the proper calling of his life, and which he 
subsequently filled with so much happiness to himself, and so much 
usefulness to others. Of the peculiar workings of his mind under 
the strivings of the Spirit, that preceded his first attempt to preach, 
he has left no record. Before he thus appeared in the pulpit, and 
when he was most actively employed in conducting prayer-meet- 
ings, he says, " during these exercises I had very little thought of 
becoming a preacher." And after he commenced he had " no ex- 
pectation of ever travelling and preaching extensively in the work." 
His sole purpose, as it was his supreme desire, was to please God, 
and do good. God prescribed the way, and chose the field in 
which these ends were to be accomplished. That way was the 
itinerancy ; the field was white and inviting on every hand. Yet 
he dreaded to enter it. Of his first sermon he thus writes : 

" On the 17th of November, 1779, I preached for the first time 
in my life, at a place called the Old Barn. My text was 1st John 
iii. 1,2. I felt more liberty in speaking from the text than I ex- 
pected to feel when I began. I felt such a desire to please God, 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 65 

and to instruct the people how to serve Him, that I was at that time 
willing to spend my days in the service of God." 

Within a few weeks he preached several times, and felt that God 
was with him. In his public ministrations, he found the fulfilment 
of the gracious promise, " I will be mouth and wisdom unto thee" — 
and he was comforted and encouraged. Yet he says : " I was so 
sensible of my own weakness and insufficiency, that after I had 
preached, I would retire to the woods and prostrate myself on the 
ground, and weep before the Lord, and pray that he would pardon 
the imperfections of my preaching, and give me strength to declare 
His whole counsel in purity." So tender was conscience, so im- 
perious the sense of duty that impelled him forward in a way he 
would scarcely have chosen if uninfluenced by the Holy Spirit. 
But there was to be, thenceforward, no pause in his career. His 
hand was on the plough ; the way of duty, life, salvation, was be- 
fore him ; the furrow must not be made crooked by looking back. 
It was not long before he compassed a wider field. 

The Rev. John Dickens, at that time the preacher in charge of 
Roanoke circuit, anxious for the leisure of a few weeks, to finish 
some writings in which he was engaged, obtained the consent of 
Mr. Lee to take his place on the circuit, and supply for a short 
time his lack of service. With a trembling heart he consented, 
The cross was heavy at the commencement, and it had lost but 
little of its weight when the term for which he was engaged expi- 
red. But it was another step in the upward path of Providence ; 
and it had the good effect to familiarize him with the duties of the 
ministry, and fit him for the yet remote, but more effective work 
of the itinerancy. His zeal did not abate when he returned to his 
customary routine of neighbourhood appointments. Nor was he 
left without evidence that his labours were made a blessing to 
others. It appeared to him, however, that he was better qualified 
to guide and comfort the trained bands of the Lord, than to collect 
and discipline those whose hearts were not yet freed from the do- 
minion of the strong man. 

What constitutes a divine call to the office and work of the 
ministry in the Church of Christ 1 This is a question of no small 
importance. All the Reformed Churches of Christendom recognise 
the principle that the designation of the Holy Ghost is sssentially 
"5 



66 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



prerequisite to the act of the Church in conferring authority to 
exercise the functions of the ministry. But they are not agreed as 
to what constitutes this designation. Two opinions seem to divide 
the Christian world on this subject. One class of religionists con- 
sider the outward act of ordination as the source of ministerial au- 
thority. The other regard the inward moving of the Holy Ghost 
as presenting the only scriptural claim to the rights and powers of 
the office. These last consider the act of ordination as only a 
Church recognition of the previous call of God. The former of 
these opinions does not necessarily involve the doctrine that the 
personal holiness of the candidate is essential to the work of the 
ministry. The latter makes it an indispensable condition of ad- 
mission to the office. The one takes the power of appointing 
ministers out of the hand of Christ : the other confines it exclusive- 
ly there. Such are the main points of difference between these 
opinions. There are, also, shades of difference, as to what con- 
stitutes the inward call of God, or as lo the evidences of such a 
call, between those who, from a general agreement, take rank on 
the same side of the subject. It is not our purpose, nor is it needed, 
to discuss the relative merit of these opinions. The Methodist 
Episcopal Church has, from the beginning, regarded the subject of 
the call, appointment, and qualification of ministers as belonging 
exclusively to Christ. He is the sole and supreme Head of the 
Church, ministers are his ambassadors, and he reserves to himself 
the right to select and send them. All that the Church can do in 
the matter is to examine and compare the claims of the candidate 
with the scriptural characteristics of a Divine call. If these corre- 
spond with each other, she is bound to receive him as a commis- 
sioned minister of Christ. Personal holiness is the first subject of 
her inquiries. Christ will never send a wolf to take the charge and 
oversight of his sheep : A wicked man has no place to cultivate in 
the Lord's vineyard. These are fundamental verities. They form 
the rule of her judgment in measuring the claims of those " who 
profess to be moved by the Holy Ghost to preach." A mere pro- 
fession of religion will not suffice to prove such a claim ; it will not 
satisfy her demands. " Do they know God as a pardoning God ? 
Have they the love of God abiding in them ? Do they desire no- 
thing but God 1 And are they holy in all manner of conversa- 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



67 



tion f These are the questions by which she seeks to probe the 
very " thoughts and intents of the heart." He must be deeply 
skilled in hypocrisy who can deceive her.' But her inquiries stop 
not here. As Christ would not call a wolf to protect his fold, so 
neither will he call a blind man to guide his flock, nor a dumb 
man to warn his people. There have been dumb dogs that could 
not bark in the house of God, but they were not placed there by 
Christ. The chosen of Christ to do the work of the ministry must 
have " gifts, as well as grace for the work." They must have, 
"in some tolerable degree, a clear, sound understanding, a right 
judgment in the things of God, a just conception of salvation by 
faith. Has God given them any degree of utterance? Do they 
speak justly, readily, clearly ?" These points are to be settled. It is 
not enough that they can tvrite, they must be able to speak, not bun- 
glingly, but justly, readily, CLEARLY. The command is, " Go 
speak unto them all the words of this life." Nor will this satisfy the 
Church. Christ chose and ordained the Apostles that they might 
go and bring forth fruit ; and seals to their ministry — the begetting 
of children to God by the preaching of the gospel — was consider- 
ed by the Apostles as the only indisputable evidence of their Apos- 
tleship. These demonstrated the holiness of their character, the 
divinity of their authority. The rule is changeless. By the same 
mark are we now to judge whether men be called of God. They 
must have fruit. Sinners must be truly convinced of sin, and con- 
verted to God by their preaching. Otherwise they have started 
without a message ; they have run, but Christ did not send them. 
There must be a concurrence of all these marks to authenticate the 
claim of every one professing to be called of God to preach the 
gospel of Christ. 

It is an enlargement of these principles, rather than an addition 
to them, to consider their influence upon the personal character of 
those who are truly called of God to the office and work of the 
ministry in the Church of Christ. It is only from those who have 
experienced the power of saving faith, that Christ selects those whose 
office is a representation of the spiritual character of his gospel. Con- 
sistently with the principles and purposes of Christianity, an un- 
converted man cannot be called to the ministry ; his character 
would contradict his pretensions, and contravene his measures. It 



66 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



would be committing the interests of his kingdom to the enemies of 
his throne. All therefore who would settle the question of their 
own call to the ministry, must first decide whether they are chil- 
dren of God by faith in Christ. It is also obvious that those thus 
wrought upon by the Holy Spirit will possess, at least in an ordi- 
nary degree, the fruits of the Spirit. The very doubt that may 
perplex their minds, will contribute its measure of influence to 
work out a just conclusion, especially when, as its effect, it impels 
the soul to seek in communion with God, a settlement of the 
matter. A Christian, for of such only we write, whose mind may 
be exercised upon this matter, may suppose himself inwardly moved 
by the Holy Ghost, when he finds the following marks in his per- 
sonal experience. 

1. When the work of the ministry as a matter of personal duty , 
forces itself upon his reflections. It is the way of the Spirit, when 
calling to a special office or duty in the Church, to bring the nature, re- 
sponsibilities, and employments of the office frequently before the mind. 
Sometimes the mind discusses its obligations ; at others, it performs 
its duties. Again, it braves its dangers, rejoices in its toils, 
assumes its feelings, and anticipates its successes ; or it struggles with 
its commandments, and shrinks from its authority. It fills the 
thoughts, clothing them with images drawn from the character ana 
aspects of the subject. When reading his Bible, while sitting in the 
house of God, in the solitude of the chamber, or in the thronged 
mart ; awake or asleep, resting or at work, the ministry, in some 
of its features, will flit over his mind like a vision, or occupy his 
thoughts like a grand master impulse. Thoughts of it will come 
unbidden, and under circumstances unfriendly to such considerations. 

2. When amid such ^perplexities the soul is calmly ivaiting upon 
God. The mightiest energies of the mind, under the agency of the 
Spirit, do not lessen confidence in God, or operate against a pro- 
gressive religious improvement. In the very tumult of the thoughts, 
the deep fountains of the heart may be undisturbed. There grace 
may reign. The work of the Spirit, in separating a man from even 
the holy things of ordinary Christian life, and placing him on a high 
place in a holy work, does not interfere with his Christian enjoy- 
ments. It quickens and refines them. He will " grow in grace," 
even while seeking to know what is signified by the Spirit of Christ 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



working in him. If that be darkness, he will still have light in the 
Lord, the fellowship of Christ, the comfort of the Holy Ghost — 
happy in God, whether He command to go forward or to stand still. 

3. When, even though satisfied of duty, there is a self-distrust 
for the work. No man " is sufficient for these things." u Our 
sufficiency is of God." It is God that worketh in us ; without him 
we can do nothing. A sense of ability for such a calling is a de- 
monstration of unfitness. He is uncalled of God who feels himself 
worthy to go. He is unprepared for the work who thinks himself 
competent to undertake it. It was only through grace given, that 
Paul undertook to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. Even 
then he confessed himself " less than the least of all saints." God 
is the wise master builder ; man is but a workman. If the king- 
dom of heaven is a vineyard, man is only a tiller of the soil ; he 
may plant and water, the increase cometh of God. The truly 
called are only strong in the work of God, .when they are weak in 
themselves. 

4. When, in yielding themselves to the call of God, they feel 
actuated by the constraining love of Christ, rather than by amy 
desire of personal benefit. Selfishness is poison in the cup of piety. 
It is a deadly evil in the heart of a minister. A soul wrought on 
by the Spirit to engage in the ministry, loses sight of self, and is 
filled with feelings and visions of the glory that is to accrue 
to Christ, and the good to be done to the souls of sinners by 
faithfulness in the work of preaching. Self will be overwhelmed 
by the consciousness of insufficiency. Christ will be the impelling 
power leading to the work, and sustaining, and giving success in it. 
" I believe, therefore have I spoken," will be the answer of con- 
science. In all the perplexities of the case there will be meekness 
and quietness of spirit ; and its settlement, by a surrender of self — 
soul, body and spirit, talents, influence and life — to the service and 
glory of Christ, will inspire the soul with the self-sustaining con- 
sciousness of integrity. Submission to Christ is the triumph of the 
soul. 

If by these principles we judge of the claims of Mr. Lee to have 
received a call from God, to " the office and work of a minister in 
the Church of Christ," there will be no room to doubt that it was 
his duty to give his faithful diligence "to serve God, for the pro- 



70 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



moting of his glory, and the edifying of his people." The toils and 
self-sacrifice of his subsequent life, will at least serve to show the 
strength and impressiveness of his own convictions. A refusal to 
credit them would involve a denial of the doctrine of Spiritual influ- 
ence. 

The year was drawing to a close. His filial feelings again sought 
a gratification at the fireside of his childhood's happy home. In 
social intercourse he spent all the time that could be spared from reli- 
gious duties. Even while yielding to the demands of natural affec- 
tion, he was not unmindful of the heavenly calling. His affections 
were fixed on things above. It is not surprising, then, that he " felt 
more pleasure in religious meetings than in visiting his relations." 
The authority of God is higher and holier than that of a parent. 
Submission to both is imperative ; and, happily for man, they are 
not incompatible with each other. 

A remark respecting the weather, during this visit to Virginia, 
may not be out of place. It is copied from his manuscripts. 
" This was supposed to be the coldest winter that had ever been 
known in Virginia. It has been properly called the cold winter 
of 1779-80." 

Methodism, during the period embraced in this portion of Mr. 
Lee's personal history, had been gradually enlarging its borders, 
and multiplying its numbers. In 1773, it numbered in its fold 
1160 souls, scattered through five states, embraced in six circuits, 
under the pastoral care of ten ministers, and within the jurisdiction 
of one Conference. In 1779 there were two Conferences; one held 
in Kent county, Delaware, on the 28th of April, the other in Flu- 
vanna county, Virginia, on the 18th of May. In the first of these 
Conferences there were seven circuits, some of them including whole 
states, with seventeen ministers. In the other, there were twelve 
circuits and twenty-five ministers. In all, forty-two ministers and 
8577 members. Nearly one-half of the members then in society 
were in Virginia. It was here the largest labour was employed, 
and here the greatest product was gathered. A most powerful 
impression was made on the public mind in Virginia by the preach- 
ing of the first ministers that came into the state. Revivals were 
more powerful, wider spread, and longer continued here, than in 
any other portions of the work. A majority of the ministers laboured 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



71 



in the state, and more than half the circuits have Virginia names. 
As a general thing, the ministers found a people prepared of the 
Lord. Opposition to their ministry, though decided, was not gene- 
ral ; and where it appeared, it was partial in its influence, and short- 
lived in its effects. The word of God was quick and powerful. It 
was preached by mighty men — men of God, full of faith and the Holy 
Ghost : men suited to the times, simple of heart, self-denying of 
life, with a fervent spirit and a quenchless zeal. What could with- 
stand them 1 Sin 1 They sought it in its strongholds, and it sub- 
mitted to the preaching of. Christ and him crucified. The Church 
was here, and it had been here from the foundation of the colony. 
But the abomination that maketh desolate — wicked men — ministered 
at her altars, and stood in her pulpits. The time for regeneration 
was come. Henceforth a sounder doctrine, and a more simple and 
spiritual worship, was to mark the religious history of the state. 
The leaven of a pure faith was deposited in the heart of Virginia. 
Its plans were vast, its spirit indomitable. It was young, powerful, 
successful, humble. Its morning was brilliant. Years have passed, 
it is triumphantly ascending its zenith. May its sunset be glorious ! 



72 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



CHAPTER III. 

FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF HIS MINISTRY IN 1779, TO 
HIS ENTRANCE INTO THE TRAVELLING CONNEXION IN 
1783. 

War of the Revolution — English Preachers — Public Distrust of them — Return 
of several to England — Maltreatment of Messrs. Hartley and Garrettson — 
Silence of Mr. Asbury — Effects of these things upon the Societies — Without 
Pastors and Ordinances — Controversy respecting Ordinances — General view 
of the Question — Origin of the Question in 1777 — Postponed in Conference 
of 1778 — Conference at Broken Back Church in 1779 — Full account of the 
Proceedings of this Conference — Ordination of Ministers — Grounds of its 
justification — Protest of the Conference in Baltimore — Send a Deputation to 
Virginia — Mannakin Town Conference — Difficulties — Adjustment — Happy- 
Effects — Mr. Lee in a new Sphere — Drafted into the Army — Refuses to bear 
Arms, and is Imprisoned — Anecdote — Family Prayer in the Guard-house — 
Morning Worship — Released and Promoted — Preaches on the Sabbath — Ex- 
ecution of a Tory — Retreat — Anecdote — Profanity — Efforts to do Good among 
the Soldiers — Released from the Army — Returns Home — Industry in Preach- 
ing — Itinerancy — Dread of entering it — Difficulties and Encouragements — 
War Spirit in Virginia — Disastrous Effects on Religion — Conference in Vir- 
ginia-^Declines joining — Travels awhile — Assists in forming a new Circuit 
— Enlargement of Methodism. 

Christianity — the religion of peace and of love — is un- 
friendly to war, and cannot prosper in the midst of its confusion 
and bloodshed. The war with England, consequent upon the 
Declaration of Independence, was spreading its desolations over 
some of the fairest fields of Methodism. It was an unfortunate 
circumstance for the infant Church, then struggling into being, and 
beset on every hand with difficulties, that its chief ministers were 
Englishmen ; all of them averse to the war, some of them de- 
cidedly hostile to the American cause, and many of them anxious 
to leave a country with whose struggles for freedom they felt no 
sympathy, and for whose success they could not pray without 
disloyalty. In this state of things, it is not surprising that the 
imprudence of one man should subject the whole to suspicion, and 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



73 



bring upon the Church of Christ, of which they were the autho- 
rized ministers, the reproach of infidelity to the country. Distrust, 
hostility, and persecution, were natural results of the general exas- 
peration produced by the discovery of the anti-revolutionary affini- 
ties of the prominent and most influential ministers of Methodism. 
Occasion was not long wanting for the developement of that spirit 
of evil and resentment which lives in the heart of the unregene- 
rate, and which, in such times, of excitement and alarm, is espe- 
cially clamorous for gratification. Soon after the commencement 
of hostilities between the two countries, Messrs. Rankin and Shad- 
ford evinced great anxiety to return to their native land ; and, 
after carefully weighing the matter in all its bearings, they re- 
solved to carry their purpose into effect. Their object presented 
many difficulties, and was encumbered with many dangers ; but 
they succeeded, and reached England in safety. A short time, 
however, previous to their embarkation, Mr. Rodda, one of their 
companions, and who was to accompany them, gave great offence 
to the American party by some imprudence of conduct with re- 
spect to the tories, either by associating with them or by stimulating 
and encouraging their hostility to the cause of republicanism. By 
this act, the public distrust of the English preachers was greatly 
strengthened. New suspicions were awakened, and persecution 
stretched out its bloody hand to vex and punish " certain of the 
Church." The weight of this persecution fell most heavily upon 
those who were employed in Delaware and Maryland. In the 
latter state, Messrs. Hartley and Garrettson were subjected, the 
one to imprisonment, and the other to severe personal maltreat- 
ment. Mr. Hartley, while engaged in his circuit labours, in Queen 
Anne county, was arrested and held to bail for his appearance at 
some subsequent court for the county ; and, in the mean time, was 
prohibited, under forfeiture of his bond, from preaching within its 
jurisdiction. He nevertheless attended his appointments, con- 
ceiving it no violation of his bond to conduct religious worship ; 
" and, after singing and prayer, he would stand on his knees and 
exhort the people." But, exhorting on his knees was as objection- 
able to his enemies as preaching on his feet ; and they soon forced 
him to leave the county. Passing into Talbot county, he was 
again arrested and thrown into prison. But here his zeal did not 



74 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



forsake him. He took his position at the window of the jail, and, 
through its iron grates, preached to listening crowds the freeness 
of the great salvation. The word was effectual through God; 
many were cut to the heart, and sought peace through Jesus 
Christ. So general was this religious interest, that some of the 
citizens, under fear of his converting the whole town, insisted upon 
his liberation. How long he was confined we know not ; but Mr. 
Lee, from whose history these facts are taken, says : " After 
awhile he was turned out ; but they had kept him too long, for 
religion began to revive, and, soon after, it prospered greatly in the 
place." 

During the same year Mr. Garrettson was severely beaten by a 
man named Brown, for no other offence than that of " preaching 
that men should repent," and with no other authority than that of 
personal malignity. This brutal severity had well nigh cost Mr. 
Garrettson his life. He was beaten over the head with a stick, and 
finally thrown from his horse, and nearly killed. And might have 
died but for the kindness and care of a woman who found him 
" left for dead" in the road, bled him, and took care for him. But 
the spirit of his mission was not beaten out of him. He soon re- 
vived, sat up, and, as every one familiar with the quenchless zeal 
of the early Methodist ministry would readily suppose, exhorted 
all around to seek the mystery of that faith in Christ, which, as in 
the case of his blessed Redeemer, enabled him to forget his own 
sufferings in his profound anxiety for the eternal welfare of others. 
Such was the indomitable zeal, the heavenly temper, of those who 
planted Methodism in the virgin soil of America. 

To avoid similar, and perhaps worse treatment, as he was an 
Englishman, Mr. Asbury measurably suspended his ministerial la- 
bours, and spent nearly two years in comparative silence and re- 
tirement. From conscientious scruples, or from the nature of the 
oath of allegiance, he could not conform to the legal requirements 
of Maryland, and he sought refuge in Delaware. He found in the 
hospitable family of Mr. T. White, not only shelter and protection, 
but whatever of privacy and comfort his personal safety or spiri- 
tual interests required. His journals abound with notices of the 
kindness and consideration of this worthy family ; and also of the 
greater attention he was thereby enabled to bestow upon his min- 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



75 



isterial studies, and his growth in grace and holiness. In the latter 
part of the year 1779 he entered somewhat more largely into 
public life ; and though watched and threatened, he was mercifully 
spared all other suffering than that of restraint, in preaching the 
word of God. 

Others shared in these persecutions. But the evils of this state 
of things fell chiefly upon the Church. The shepherds were smit- 
ten, and the sheep were scattered and destroyed. The societies, 
deprived of their regular services, declined in numbers and piety. 
But, painful and gloomy as were the prospects of the more northern 
portions of the Church, a darker cloud was gathering over the so- 
cieties in Virginia and North Carolina, then forming the southern 
limits of Methodism. Hitherto it had endured and triumphed over 
the persecutions of those without ; now it was to sustain the shock 
of dissensions within — brother striving with brother. In the early 
planting of Methodism in Virginia, it found a firm and useful friend 
and coadjutor in Mr. Jarratt ; and for some time he travelled ex- 
tensively to assist the preachers, and confirm the societies, by bap- 
tizing them and their children, and by administering the sacrament 
of the Lord's Supper. But he could not keep pace with the itine- 
rant, nor circulate to the annually increasing extremities of Metho- 
dism. There were other clergymen of the Established Church, but 
they were not of a character to claim the confidence of the truly 
pious ; and were quite indifferent, if not positively averse, to the 
introduction of Methodism into their parishes. And if they had 
been willing to administer the sacraments to the infant societies, a 
large majority of the Methodists would have been unwilling to re- 
ceive them at their hands. From these, therefore, nothing could 
be expected, as to the administration of the ordinances. And it 
was impracticable for Mr. Jarratt to meet the demand. As positive 
institutions of Christ, the Methodists not only greatly desired the 
sacraments, but felt it to be a Christian duty thus to obey Christ, 
and have communion with Him. It was clearly a question of duty, 
started by conscience, and, in the adjustment of which, conscience 
must be consulted and satisfied. In this state of the case they 
must either disobey Christ, or claim the sacraments at the hands of 
those through whose ministry the gospel had been made " the 
power of God unto salvation" to them. And this claim they pre- 



76 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



sented and urged with a unanimity, perseverance, and importunity 
that felt its right to be heard, and furnishes a sufficient justification 
for those who, in that period of national gloom, gave heed to the 
claim set up by pious men confessing submission and seeking com- 
munion with Christ. 

The divinely instituted ordinances are the heritage of Christians. 
And in whatever aspect we may consider the question as to the 
right or power to administer them, we cannot doubt the right of 
" them that believe," to use them; and this right, as to time, exists 
coincident with their spiritual regeneration. Nor, if the gospel is 
to be our guide in settling the question, can we doubt the validity 
of their administration by those even whose proof of ministerial au- 
thority rests upon personal holiness and success in winning souls to 
Christ. The claims usually set up for authority to administer the 
sacraments, that do not embrace these cardinal principles, will never 
possess much weight with truly regenerated persons, and will always 
lack the evidence of congruity with the doctrines, and identity with 
the spirit of the gospel. It will never be otherwise than difficult to 
persuade a pious mind that the sacraments are more valid from the 
hands of an ordained wicked man, than they are from those of an 
unordained good one. In a word, placing ourselves in the times of 
which we write, unless we would excommunicate Christ from his 
Highpriesthood in the church, and his Headship over it, we must 
maintain that the man of loose principles and worse habits, ordained 
by the Bishop of London and sent to Virginia as a minister, was, 
in every attribute of the office, whether of personal fitness or official 
authority, inferior to the ministers of Methodism in every essential 
qualification for the administration of Christian ordinances. But it 
was not merely the question of the superior spiritual qualifications 
of their own ministers over those of the Established Church, that the 
Methodists had to consider and settle. It was a matter of con- 
science between relinquishing their Christian birthright altogether, 
or of seeking communion with Christ in ordinances administered 
by men of selfish feelings and vicious life. This matter they had 
pressed upon their pastors from the commencement of Methodism 
in the colonies ; but they were coldly refused or severely rebuked. 
At the first Conference held in America,* it was " agreed to by 

* June 1773, in Philadelohia. See Minutes. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



77 



all the preachers present," as one of the " rules" for their govern- 
ment, that " all the people among whom we labour (are) to be ear- 
nestly exhorted to attend the Church, and receive the ordinances 
there ; but in a particular manner to press the people in Maryland 
and Virginia to the observance of this minute." The language of 
this rule shows at how early a date the Methodists of Virginia 
evinced their unwillingness to receive the ordinances from the god- 
less men then officiating at the altars of the Church. And however 
earnestly the preachers may have pressed this matter upon the 
people, very little success seems to have attended the effort. For 
six years after the adoption of the rule we find the preachers engaged 
in measures to secure the ordinances to the people irrespective of 
the vaunted claims of the Church, or the assumed rights of its min- 
istry. Claiming to be " called of God to the office and work of the 
ministry in the Church of Christ," and believing that God had 
honoured them as instruments of righteousness in turning sinners 
from darkness to light ; and satisfied, too, by every just and intel- 
ligent construction of the subject, of the perfect right of the people 
to the ordinances, and of the unfitness of the parish clergy, as a 
very general thing, to administer them, they were shut up to the 
necessity of providing for these spiritual wants of their own chil- 
dren in Christ, or of turning them over to the cruel neglect of a Church 
which, leagued with the world, had driven Christ into the wilder- 
ness, and whose ministers, like the unfaithful servant, were addicted, 
in an objectionable sense, " to eat and drink, and to be drunken." 
Under these circumstances then, of the refusal of the people, under 
conscientious scruples, to acquiesce in the "minute" of Confer- 
ence, and of their own sense of the just and sufficient grounds of 
that refusal, based as it was upon the unworthiness of those to 
whom the " rule" sent them for the grace and consolations vouch- 
safed in the sacraments, they resolved — and it was after patient 
and prayerful deliberation, and under the exigency of a neces- 
sity that presented no other alternative but a voluntary surrender 
of communion with God in the sacraments — they resolved to meet 
a demand pressed upon them by the spiritual wants of a pious and 
pure-minded people, and by a mode, novel it may be, but not in 
conflict with either the positive precepts or sound principles of the 
gospel. This transaction, its fruits, the principles on which those 



75 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



engaged in it proceeded, its effects upon the connexional unity of • 
Methodism during the period of its existence and observance, and 
the grounds of compromise upon which it was abandoned, and the 
whole subject respecting the ordinances, referred to the umpirage 
of Mr. Wesley, forms an event in the early history of Methodism 
in America deserving of a more detailed and extended notice than 
it has yet received. As an important feature of the times now 
passing under review, a full and impartial history of what is known 
in Methodism as the " Contest about the Ordinances," is necessary 
to a complete account of the life and times of Mr. Lee. 

As already seen, the rule adopted by the Conference of 1773, 
although intended to compel the attendance of the people of Mary- 
land and Virginia upon the services and sacraments of the Estab- 
lished Church, was ineffectual. It neither made them " attend the 
Church and receive the ordinances there" nor induced them to re- 
linquish the hope of obtaining them at the hands of those from whom 
they had already received the word of promise. In the Minutes 
we find no reference to this subject from the period just mentioned, 
until the session of 1780. But we have abundant proof that the 
preachers were not silent, nor the people inactive during this inter- 
val. The MS. Journal of the Rev. P. Gatch, who entered the itinerancy 
at the Conference of 1774, has been preserved to the Church,* and 
contains some items of information that else had been entirely lost. 
From this Journal we glean the following facts. At the Confer- 
ence of 1777, the question was asked : — 

" Ques. What shall be done with respect to the ordinances?" 

" Ans. Let the preachers and people pursue the old plan as 
from the beginning. 

" Ques. What alteration may we make in our original plan ? 

" Ans. Our next Conference will, if God permit, show us more 
clearly." 

These questions, according to Mr. Gatch, were the subjects of 
inquiry at the Conference at Deer Creek Meeting-house, Harford 
county, Maryland. The Conference to which they were referred 
for further consideration, was held in Leesburg, Virginia. And 

* It is now in the possession of Rev. C. Elliott, D.D., of Cincinnati, to whom 
we are indebted for the privilege of making the extracts which bear upon the 
•abject in the text. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



79 



here, the same question was again asked, and in the language of 
Mr. Gatch, it was answered : " We unanimously agree to refer it 
to the next Conference." In these facts, we perceive there was a 
general interest felt in the subject of the Ordinances ; and not only in 
the societies, but among the preachers, a deep and absorbing anxiety 
had succeeded to the indifference and apathy of former years. 
" The next Conference" before which this now exciting question 
was to come up for final action, was held at Broken Back Church, 
Fluvanna county, Va., in May, 1779. The proceedings of this 
Conference in relation to the Ordinances, its plan of proceeding, and its 
opinions of the sacraments, will be given in the words of Mr. Gatch, 
an actor in the scenes, and a participant of the sentiments here de- 
scribed. After various preliminary business of a general character, 
and a full discussion of the grave question on which they were to make 
up a judgment, they come to the then customary mode of presenting 
their conclusions, regardless of the precise measures by which they 
had reached them. 

" Ques. 14. What are our reasons for taking up the administra- 
tion of the ordinances among us ? 

" Ans. Because the Episcopal Establishment is now dissolved, 
and, therefore, in almost all our circuits the members are without 
the ordinances — we believe it to be our duty. 

" Ques. 15. What preachers do approve of this step? 

"Ans. Isham Tatum, Charles Hopkins, Nelson Reed, Reuben 
Ellis, P. Gatch, Thomas Morris, James Morris, James Foster, John 
Major, Andrew Yeargin, Henry Willis, Francis Poythress, John 
Sigman, Leroy Cole, Carter Cole, James O'Kelly, William Moore, 
Samuel Roe. 

" Ques. 16. Is it proper to have a committee? 

"Ans. Yes, and by the vote, of th e Preachers. 

" Ques. 17. Who are the committee ? 

"Ans. P. Gatch, James Foster, L. Cole, and R. Ellis. 

" Uues. 18. What powers do the Preachers vest in the com- 
mittee ? 

"Ans. They do agree to observe all the resolutions of the said 
committee, so far as the said committee shall adhere to the Scrip, 
tares. 



80 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



"Ques. 19. What form of ordination shall be observed, to au- 
thorize any Preacher to administer ? 
" Ans. By that of a Presbytery. 
"Ques. 20. How shall the Presbytery be appointed? 
"Ans. By a majority of the Preachers. 
"Ques. 21. Who are the Presbytery? 

"Ans. P. Gatch, R. Ellis, James Foster, and, in case of neces- 
sity, Leroy Cole. 

"Ques. '22. What power is vested in the Presbytery by this 
choice ? 

"Ans. 1. To administer the ordinances themselves. 

2. To authorize any other Preacher or Preachers, ap- 
proved of by them, by the form of laying on of hands. 

"Ques. 23. What is to be observed as touching the administra- 
tion of the ordinances, and to whom shall they be administered ? 

"Ans. To those who are under our care and discipline. 

"Ques. 24. Shall we rebaptize any under our care? 

"Ans. No. 

" Ques. 25. What mode shall be adopted for the administration 
of baptism? 

"Ans. Either sprinkling or plunging, as the parent or adult 
shall choose. 

" Ques. 26. What ceremony shall be- used in the administration ? 
"Ans. Let it be according to our Lord's command, Matt, xxviii. 
1 9 : short and extempore. 

"Ques. 27. Shall the sign of the cross be used? 
"Ans. No. 

"Ques. 28. Who shall receive the charge of the child, after 
baptism, for its future instruction ? 

"Ans. The parent or persons who have the care of the child, 
with advice from the Preacher. 

"Ques. 29. What mode shall be adopted for the administration 
of the Lord's Supper? 

"Ans. Kneeling is thought the most proper ; but, in cases of 
conscience, may be left to the choice of the communicant. 

"Ques. 30. What ceremony shall be observed in this ordinance? 

"Ans. After singing, praying, and exhortation, the Preacher 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



81 



delivers the bread, saying, ' The body of our Lord Jesus Christ,' 
&c., after the Church order." 

The Conference at which these measures were adopted, was the 
regularly constituted session for the year, and had full ecclesiasti- 
cal po wer, according to the customs of Methodism in those days,; 
to do all that is here recorded of their proceedings. The meeting 
held in Kent county, Delaware, April 28th, 1779, preceding the 
one whose acts we are now reviewing, was not a regular session 
of the Conference of " Preachers in connexion with the Rev. John 
Wesley," although it is so styled in the " Printed Minutes." It is 
true, the circumstances that kept Mr. Asbury from his usual la- 
bours in the Church, prevented his attendance at the Conference. 
But this fact neither lessened the authority of the Virginia Con- 
ference, on the one hand, nor augmented the power of the meeting 
at which he was present, in Delaware, on the other. And it is due 
to historical accuracy to state that the Northern meeting was con- 
vened, in part, for the purpose of preventing the adoption of any 
measures with regard to the Ordinances. It was not unknown to 
those assembled in Kent county, that at the Conference at Deer 
Creek, Maryland, in 1777, over which Mr. Rankin presided, this 
question about the Ordinances was considered and postponed. The 
answer to the question was, according to Mr. Garrettson,* " We 
will suspend them until the next Conference." And again, in Vir- 
ginia, in 1778, while Mr. Watters, in the absence of all the Eng- 
lish Preachers, was in the Chair, the question was again urged ; but 
it was resolved, as Mr. Garrettson, who was present, says, to " lay 
it over until the next Conference." And both Messrs. Watters 
and Garrettson, in their journals, refer to the " little Conference," 
called for the " convenience" of the Northern Preachers ; all of 
whom knew the question of Ordinances would receive the final 
decision of the regular Conference, then near at hand ; and Mr. 
Watters, who was present at both, was specially commissioned to 
communicate to the Virginia Conference the " sentiments" of this 
meeting, as a kind of protest against the adoption of any measures 
upon the subject. Under these circumstances, the Virginia Con- 
ference complained that an illegal Conference had been held, to 
keep as many of the Northern Preachers from the session as pop 



6 



* Life of Garrettson, p. 111. 



82 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



sible, lest they should join with them in adopting the Ordinances. 
But, if any such design was contemplated by the " little Confer- 
ence," it did not prevent action upon it, as we have already seen. 
But all who were present did not approve of the measure, or the 
mode by which it was reached ; and these took their appointments, 
for the year, in fields of labour within the circle of Methodism 
north of the line of those who had, in the judgment of some, so 
violently ruptured the unity of the Church, and so grievously de- 
parted from the unpretending simplicity of its doctrines and wor- 
ship. 

After the adoption of a purely scriptural system of ordinances, 
and the appointment of a mode of investing ministers with 
authority to administer them, that, but for the absurd theories and 
monstrous pretensions of the fable of Apostolical Succession, no one, 
with any measure of reverence for the. Scriptures, and the power of 
God, would ever have called in question, the committee proceeded to 
ordain each other, and then to ordain the rest. Nearly, perhaps 
all, who agreed to the measure, were thus set apart to the full [ 
work of the gospel ministry. That, according to the views of the ' 
ministry, prevalent in the Church since the usurped domination of 
Popery, with its inflated notions of the priesthood, this proceeding 
was novel and informal, we have no disposition to deny. But that 
it was an invasion of any man's right, or in contravention of any 
principle or prescript of Revelation, or of any institution of Christ, 
we as unhesitatingly dispute. And if its character as a Christian 
transaction, and its claims to the respect and confidence of those 
for and in behalf of whose spiritual welfare it was enacted, be 
judged of by the doctrines and laws of Christ, with respect to the 
sacred office, its entire justification, and the full authority to 
exercise the ministerial functions by the parties, cannot be doubted. 
To our apprehension the question is a very narrow one, and may 
be briefly settled. Thus : — As Christians, it was both the right 
and duty of the Methodists to partake of the sacraments. As 
Christians, they could not, without grieving conscience, and 
violating Christ's institution in appointing a holy ministry to 
administer the holy sacraments, partake of them at the hands of 
a worldly and wicked priesthood. And, therefore, their own 
ministers, those whose labours had been blessed to their salvation, 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. * 83 

whom God had thus owned as His servants, these holy men must 
convey the holy sacraments to them ; or, in default thereof, they 
must disobey Christ, to the detriment of their spirituality, by 
abstaining from this sacramental communion with Him, who is 
the Head over all things, to the Church. If there be error in the 
transaction, it is the fault of supposing ordination, under the 
circumstances, essential to administration. 

In one aspect of this affair, and only one, it may be regretted, — 
it was premature, and without the concurrence of the whole body 
of Preachers. Owing to this it was only partially adopted, and 
led to debates and divisions. Preachers and people were brought 
into collision with each other, the peace of the societies was dis- 
turbed, and the unity of Methodism received a violent shock. A 
cloud overshadowed it, and the demon of discord paralyzed its 
energies, and defeated its plans. At the close of the year sue 
ceeding the Conference at Broken Back Church, there was a small 
decrease in the membership of the Church. 

The members composing the "little meeting," in 1779, in con- 
nexion with some of those who participated in the Fluvanna Con- 
ference, held another meeting in Baltimore, on the 24th of April, 
1780. This meeting is put down in the Minutes as the regular 
Conference, and there is no record of the proceedings of the one 
held in Virginia, although it was appointed, both as to time and 
place, by the regularly constituted Conference of 1779. Mr. Lee 
calls the Baltimore Conference the eighth Conference ; speaks of 
the one held in Virginia during the ensuing month, and says : " The 
proceedings of both must be considered together, as it respects the 
general work." But in making the Baltimore Conference the 
eighth one in the history of Methodism in America, he evidently 
omits to recognise the meeting in Delaware, in the preceding year, 
as a Conference ; and also dispossesses the one held in Virginia, of 
what we can but regard as its legal claim to the rank of the Con- 
ference of 1780. The reasons for transferring the right, power, 
and title of Conference to Baltimore is as strange and unaccounta- 
ble, as are the reasons for inserting the proceedings of the " little 
meeting in Delaware," in the Minutes, and omitting those of the 
Conference held in Virginia, which was regularly constituted and 
duly attended. We cannot penetrate the cause of these facts, and 



84 THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 

the only reasonable conjecture is, that, as the breach in the Church 
was healed in Virginia, it was mutually agreed to omit all mention 
in the Minutes, of the Conference at which it was effected. But, 
notwithstanding this disposition of the official business of the Con- 
ference, the proceedings that issued in the restoration of peace and 
unity to the afflicted societies, are too full of interest, and occupy 
too prominent a place in the religious history of the times, to be 
omitted. 

Among other items of business, we find the following resolutions 
of the Baltimore Conference, respecting the subject now under 
consideration : 

"Ques. 20. Does this whole Conference disapprove the step our 
brethren in Virginia have taken 1 
" Yes. 

" Ques. 21. Do we look upon them no longer as Methodists in 
connexion with Mr. Wesley and us, till they come back ? 
" Agreed. 

" Ques. 22. Shall Brother Asbury, Garrettson, and Watters 
attend the Virginia Conference, and inform them of our proceedings 
in this, and receive their answer ? 

" Yes." 

Mr. Watters* informs us that two members of the Virginia Con- 
ference, Messrs. P. Gatch and R. Ellis, were present at the Balti- 
more Conference, and endeavoured " to prevent a total disunion." 
They found, however, very little encouragement, and no kind of 
sympathy. Indeed, they thought their brethren dealt " hardly with 
them, and there was little appearance of anything but an entire 
separation. They complained that" Mr. Watters " was the only 
one that treated them with affection and tenderness." Before 
adjourning, however, wiser councils, if not better feelings gained 
the ascendant in the Conference ; and for the sake of unity, they 
resolved to attempt an adjustment of the difficulty. They accord- 
ingly appointed a committee of three with special instructions, but 
not very limited powers, and sent them to Virginia. 

The Virginia Conference for the year 1780, was held at Mana 
kin Town, in Powhattan county, on the 8th of May. To this body, 



* Life of Watters, pp. 79-81. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



85 



the committee of reconciliation, appointed by the Preachers in Bal- 
timore, repaired, immediately after their adjournment, and entered 
into negotiations for the preservation of the peace, and the promo- 
tion of the unity of Methodism. They were cordially received by 
their Virginia brethren. Mr. Watters says : " We found our 
brethren as loving and as full of zeal as ever, and as fully de- 
termined on persevering in their newly adopted mode ; for to all 
their former arguments, they now added (what with many was 
infinitely stronger than all the arguments in the world) that the 
Lord approved, and had blessed His own Ordinances, by them ad- \ 
ministered the past year." With these convictions on one side, and J 
the special instruction to demand, as conditional of union, a positive 
abandonment of the Ordinances on the other, the prospect of recon- 
ciliation was indeed doubtful and gloomy. The writer we are 
quoting, says, in continuation of his account, " We had a great 
deal of loving conversation, with many tears ; but I saw no bitterness, 
no shyness, no judging each other. We wept, and prayed, and 
sobbed, but neither would agree to the others' terms." Two days 
were occupied in these honest efforts to heal the breach between 
those, who, notwithstanding the rent, were " of one mind and heart 
in the knowledge and love of God." In the mean time Mr. Watters 
preached to the assembled parties, on what may be regarded as a 
most appropriate text for such an occasion : "We are journeying | 
unto the place of which the Lord said, I will give it you : come I 
t hou with us , and we will do thee good : for the Lord hath spoken J 
good concerning Israel." Num. x. 29. Still darkness dwelt upon 
the subject ; " and all hopes failing of any accommodation taking 
place," the committee resolved to give up the matter, and retrace 
their steps to the north. During the evening preceding the time 
fixed for their departure, and while Mr. Asbury was on his knees, 
alone in his room, in fervent prayer for God's help and bless- 
ing, and Messrs. Watters and Garrettson were engaged in the 
same pious exercise together, in a room over the one in which the 
Conference was sitting, the Conference resolved to accept a propo- 
sition submjttedjbj Mr. Asbury to suspend the administration of 
the Ordinances for one year ; to submit the matter in controversy to 
Mr. Wesley ; and for all the Preachers to meet the next year 
in a kind of General Conference in Baltimore, for a full and final 



86 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



adjustment of the whole question in controversy. The adoption of 
this resolution created a jubilee of joy in the hearts of all concerned 
in the affair — they wept, they shouted, they praised God, and were 
full of peace and love. It was the triumph of Christian affection — 
the submission of private judgment and personal right to the will of 
the majority, and the general good of the whole. By this act the 
bands of Methodism were again riveted, and the Societies were 
drawn into closer fellowship with each other ; the Preachers were 
bound together in " a bundle of love," with " a three-fold cord," 
and God, out of the Holy place, approved their work, and shed 
forth into their hearts the grace and comfort of the Holy Ghost. 
The readiness of these men of God to abandon a measure 
so long and carefully studied, so deliberately and prayerfully 
adopted, and so happity and successfully exercised, affords a beau- 
tiful illustration of the meekness of their wisdom, and the power of 
their humility. ' Their subsequent success in winning souls to 
Christ might have been predicted with entire confidence. It was, 
under the blessing of God, a direct consequence of their unselfish 
anxiety to "do good of every possible sort to the souls and 
bodies of men." 

The healing of these divisions was a cause of unmixed happi- 
ness to Mr. Lee. In common with the rest of his brethren he de- 
plored the existence of the difficulty ; and great was his joy, when, 
in the summer of 1780, Mr. Asbury came into North Carolina 
preaching peace, the messenger of good tidings to all who were 
waiting for the consolation of Israel — the restoration of unity and 
confidence among brethren. It was a blessed union ; whether re- 
garded as an evidence of the gracious influence of Christian prin- 
ciple, moving the parties to submit their judgments of what was 
right and just, to the decision of a distant umpire ; or as an exhibi- 
tion of ^Christian love, in yielding private opinions a sacrifice upon 
the altar of Christian unity, for the general harmony and benefit 
of the body. The effects of this amicable adjustment of a serious 
difficulty were at once apparent. The ministers went to their work 
reinvigorated and encouraged ; the people, satisfied of their disin- 
terestedness and of the singleness of their devotion to the cause of 
Christ, received them as the " servants of the most high God," and 
gave willing ear to their godly and wholesome admonitions The 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



87 



work of God received a new impulse ; and at the Conference of 
1781, the first that assembled after the healing of the breach, a 
nett increase of more than two thousand souls was reported as the 
result of God's gracious approval of their self-sacrifice and faithful 
diligence. 

Hitherto we have considered Mr. Lee in the quiet of private life, 
striving, in an humble sphere, and amidst the busy engagements 
of his daily calling, to please God, and do good. We must now 
contemplate him in a new, and widely different scene ; but still 
firm in his adhesion to Christ — fixed in his purposes to glorify 
God — " rooted and grounded in love" too powerful and quenchless 
to be lessened or perverted by the turmoils of war, or the disorders 
and profanity of a military encampment. He is a soldier ; not of 
choice, but of necessity, and by constraint of military authority. 

The war between Great Britain and the United States, consequent 
upon the Declaration of Independence in 1776, had spent most of 
its fury in the northern sections of the Union. An army occupied 
the city of Charleston, and the ravages of war were spread over 
the states of South Carolina and Georgia. The scene of the war 
was now to be changed. The English, having met with a succes- 
sion of disasters in the south, commenced a retreat through North 
Carolina and Virginia, to concentrate their forces again in the 
north. To prevent this junction, and also to protect her citizens 
from the ravages of an invading foe, Virginia called out her militia, 
and sent them with the army of the south to meet the common 
enemy on the plains of Carolina. The history of the engagements, 
successes, reverses, and triumphs of the army, during the campaigns 
of 1780-81, belong to the national records. Our task is to follow 
one of the humble men, called, by the fortune of war, from the 
quiet of domestic life to the noisy strife of the tented field. It is 
the moral heroism of the Christian, rather than the militarjr 
prowess of the warrior, that we are called to contemplate. 

In the summer of 1780 the militia of North Carolina were drafted, 
and Mr. Lee was numbered among those who must share the events 
of the storm that was gathering over his adopted state. As a 
Christian, the lot placed him in a condition of great difficulty. In 
conscience he was opposed to fighting ; yet he would not resist the 
civil government under which he lived. His sense of honour was 



68 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



too acute and constraining to allow him to refuse to go, or to flee 
from the standard of his country. He would accompany the army, 
but he would not fight. " Thou shalt not kill," was a command 
too comprehensive, to his mind, to be neutralized by the call of 
country, or lessened in turpitude by the circumstances of war. His 
own words will best show the state of his mind. 

" I weighed the matter over and over again, but my mind was 
settled ; as a Christian, and as a preacher of the gospel, I could 
not fight. I could not reconcile it to myself to bear arms, or to 
kill one of my fellow-creatures ; however, I determined to go, and 
to trust in the Lord ; and accordingly prepared for my journey." 

It was twelve days after leaving his friends, before he reached 
the seat of the army. The following extracts from his Journal will 
show the delightful spiritual frame of his feelings, and the quietness 
of his submission to the will and appointments of God. 

"Monday, July 17th, 1780. I left home and set out for the 
army, and travelled about twenty-five miles to Mr. Green Hill's, 
where I was kindly used. I tarried there all night. 

"Wednesday, the 19th. I set off early in the morning, and 
travelled about sixteen miles to Mr. Hines'. In the afternoon we 
had much conversation on spiritual matters, and in the evening, 
felt my heart more engaged with God in prayer than usual. I felt 
my dependence upon God, and though I believed that great difficul- 
ties lay before me, yet I resigned myself into the hands of God, 
and felt assured that he would protect and take care of me. 

" I did not join the army till the 29th. On the evening of that 
day I came in sight of the camp, and was soon called on parade, 
and orders were given for all the soldiers to be furnished with 
guns. I then lifted up my heart to God, and besought him to take 
my cause into his hands, and support me in the hour of trial." 

The hour of trial had indeed come. As Mr. Lee could not fight, 
so neither could he bear arms. He was resolved not to take the 
implements of death in his hands, his body should^not even form a 
support for a gun to lean against. He proceeds with his narrative. 

" The Sergeant soon came round with the guns, and offered one 
to me, but I would not take it. Then the Lieutenant brought me 
one, but I refused to take it. He said I should go under guard. 
He then went to the Colonel, and coming back, brought a gun and 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



89 



set it down against me. I told him he had as well take it away, or 
it would fall. He then took me with him and delivered me to the 
guard. 

" After awhile the Colonel came, and taking me out a little way 
from the guard, he began to converse with me, and to assign many 
reasons why I should bear arms ; but his reasons were not suffi- 
ciently cogent to make any alteration in my mind. He then told 
the guard to take care of me, and so left me." 

However men may differ with Mr. Lee in his views of war, 
they must accord him honesty of principle and firmness of purpose. 
The whole narrative shows the presence and power of a conscience 
enlightened by the word, and strengthened by the grace of God. 
He neither shrunk from duty, nor postponed the hour of his trial. 
He would not compromise his feelings, nor practise a deception 
upon others, by taking arms that he had resolved not to bear, and 
conscience would not allow him to use. Nor do we perceive any 
impropriety of spirit in the transaction. Resolute in his purposes, 
he was calm in his refusal, and respectful in his deportment. The 
swellings of self-confidence, the boisterous independence of poorly 
concealed cowardice, are not seen. He who could stand firm in 
the presence of power, able, if willing, to crush him, unblanched 
beneath the gaze of a surprised, and, perhaps, scoffing multitude ; 
must have been upborne by an influence that brings strength out 
of weakness, and imparts moral courage to the lowliest and least 
pretending of its disciples. He stood the trial ; and entered the 
prison of the camp as composed and cheerful as he would have 
crossed the threshold of the Commander's pavilion. 

This scene occured near the site of the present metropolis of 
North Carolina. He was not alone in the guard-room. He had 
the company of a Christian brother — a Baptist, — who, for some 
unknown caus^, perhaps a similar scruple, was also under guard. 
Nor was he without the sympathy of many in the army. He 
says : " Many of the people came and talked with me, and pitied 
me, and would leave me with tears in their eyes." Family prayer 
must be held, too, even in the prison. " After dark," he says, " I 
told the guard we must pray before we slept." The Baptist bro- 
ther led their devotions ; and morning prayer must not be omitted : 
" I then told the people, if they would come out early in the morn- 



90 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



ing I would pray with them." Prayer over, " the soldiers brought 
him straw to sleep on, and offered him their blankets and great 
coats for covering. He slept pretty well that night, which was 
the first, and the last night he was ever under guard." His soul 
enjoyed sWeet peace during all these humiliating and exciting 
scenes. He writes: "I felt remarkably happy in God under all 
my trouble, and did not doubt but I should be delivered in due 
time." It was Saturday night that he spent in confinement. Sun- 
day morning his prayer-meeting was to be held. We give his 
own account of it. 

" Sunday, 30th. — As soon as it was light, I was up, and began 
to sing ; and some hundreds of people assembled and joined with 
me, and we made the plantation ring with the songs of Zion. We 
then kneeled down and prayed; and, while I was praying, my 
soul was happy in God ; and I wept much and prayed loud, and 
many of the poor soldiers also wept. I do not think I ever felt 
more willing to suffer for the sake of religion, than I did at that 
time." 

"If any man serve ?ne, him will my Father honour.'''' This is 
the promise of Christ. Faithfully was it performed in the case 
before us. The voice of Mr. Lee, in his prayer, had reached the* 
couch of indolence, and brought tears from eyes unused to weep- 
ing. God was moving for the deliverance of his servant. 

" A little after we were done praying," continues Mr. Lee, " Mr. 
Thomas, the tavern-keeper (near whose house the army was 
encamped), came out and talked with me, and told me he was in 
bed when he heard me praying, that he could not refrain from 
tears, and he had called to see me, and know if I would be willing to 
preach to them that day, it being the Sabbath. I told him I would 
preach, provided he would procure a block or something for me to 
stand upon ; which he readily promised to do. I told him, withal, 
I wished him to go to the Colonel, for we had no higher officer 
amongst us, and obtain leave for me to preach ; which he did, and 
liberty was granted. It is but just to state that Colonel B # **** 
was a man of great humanity, although a profane swearer. When 
he heard that I was about to preach, it affected him very much ; 
so he came and took me out to talk with me on the subject of 
bearing arms. I told him I could not kill a man with a good con- 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



91 



science ; but I was a friend to my country, and was willing to do 
anything I could, while I continued in the army, except fighting. 
He then asked me if I would be willing to drive their baggage- 
wagon ? I told him I would, though I never drove a wagon before. 
He said their main cook was a Methodist, and could drive the 
wagon when we were on a march, and I might lodge and eat with 
him. He then released me from guard, and said, when I was 
ready to begin meeting, I might stand on a bench by his tent. 
When the hour arrived, I began, under the trees, and took my text 
in Luke xiii. 5 : Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 
After I had been speaking awhile, it began to rain, and we were 
under the necessity of going into the house, where I resumed my 
discourse. I was enabled to speak plainly and without fear, and I 
wept while endeavouring to declare my message. Many of the 
people, officers as well as men, were bathed in tears before I was 
done. That meeting afforded me an ample reward for all my 
trouble. I felt my heart humble before God, and was truly thank- 
ful to him for the grace communicated to my soul. I had no 
doubt but that all things would work for my good." 

It will serve as an additional illustration of the effect produced 
by the sermon, to state that, at the close of it, " some of the gen- 
tlemen went about with their hats to make a collection of money" 
for the preacher. The sight of this made him very uneasy, and 
he ran in among them, and begged them to desist. He did not, at 
that period, feel willing to receive compensation for preaching. He 
thought if the people could afford to sit and hear him, he could 
well a'fford to stand and preach to them. Selfishness entered not 
into the composition of his character ; unrestrained freedom to 
serve God in the ministry of reconciliation, was all he desired. 

On Sunday, the 13th of August, the army remained in their 
encampment ; and, in the afternoon, Mr. Lee again preached to 
the soldiers, from Isaiah iii. 10, 11. "Many of the hearers were 
very solemn, and some of them wept freely under the preaching 
of the word." In these efforts to bring his fellow-soldiers to the 
knowledge of salvation, he found many to oppose, and but few to 
4 encourage him. Yet the paucity of Christians multiplied his diffi- 
culties, without lessening his responsibilities. He knew he would 
have to give an account of himself to God ; and he could not 



92 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



doubt but his present position was ordered by Providence. It was 
his duty, therefore, to be instant in season and out of season ; to 
watch in all things, and endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus 
Christ. He was faithful and endured, as seeing him who is in- 
visible. 

The army had penetrated into South Carolina, and were endea- 
vouring to form a junction with General Gates, when, on the 
morning of the 17th, they received intelligence of his defeat in an 
engagement, the day before, near Camden. Dismay was spread 
over the camp, and a retreat was immediately ordered. A deep 
solemnity pervaded the host ; " not an oath was heard for several 
hours ; the mouths of the most profane swearers were shut." Such 
was the effect of the distressing intelligence. The army continued 
to retreat until the 28th, when they encamped, near Romney's 
Mills, on Deep River. The next day, Mr. Lee was taken sick. 
He, however, on the following day, visited a gentleman named 
Crump, about three miles from the encampment, where he re- 
mained until the 5th of September. During this sickness, he 
writes : " I was brought to examine my heart closely, concerning 
my hope of heaven ; and was comforted to find that I had no 
doubt of my salvation ; for I believed that should the Lord see fit 
to remove me from this world, I should be called to join the armies 
of heaven." It was doubtless a matter of rejoicing that, in those 
armies, there were no weapons that he might not conscientiously 
bear ; no battles that he might not safely fight. 

He rejoined the army on the 5th, and on the following morning 
he was promoted by the Colonel, from the command of the 
baggage-wagon to the superintendence of a small corps of 
pioneers. As Sergeant of this small band, he had a safe and 
easy berth. But in the vicinity of a victorious, and, as was too 
often the case, a cruel foe, the necessity of constant vigilance, and 
the recurrence of frequent alarms during the night, allowed but 
little chance for rest. Severe marches by day, and but little sleep 
at night, were trying to flesh and blood. 

During the retreat of this body of the army, a scene occurred, 
that was, perhaps, at the time, not regarded with much repro- 
bation, but which is without justification in any land, or amongst 
any people, having a code of laws, and owning its supremacy. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



93 



The war of the Revolution possessed some elements that gave it 
the character of a domestic feud. Among the citizens, some, and 
they were the immense majority, approved of the rupture with 
England ; others, and they were comparatively but a few, opposed 
and condemned it. The foi*mer were designated Whigs, the latter 
Tories, — a name that to an American was then, and is now, 
regarded as the compendium of all that is vile. Between these 
parties there existed a deep and deadly malignity. In the esti- 
mation of a Whig, the American citizen that approved the 
measures, and gave his co-operation to the enemies of his 
country's rights and liberties — and such were the Tories — was 
more execrable than those foreign mercenaries, who, for sixpence 
a day, sought to enslave her. The war between these parties was 
one of extermination. They fought for life — for mercy was 
neither given nor asked, so terrible was their hate. One of these, 
a noted Tory, had been captured by the army during its retreat 
from South Carolina. For some reason he had been detained a 
prisoner. But the hate of the patriot band doomed him to 
destruction. On the night of the 15th of September, while 
encamped near Salisbury, a band of determined men forced the 
guard, seized the prisoner, and hurrying him a short distance 
from the camp, hung him, without authority of law, or remorse 
of feeling. Slight inquiry was made into the matter ; but as no 
one came forward to confess the fact, it was passed over and 
forgotten. Crimes such as this are not mitigated by time, and 
have no defence or justification in the presence of Him who 
judgeth righteously, and who always, in the blaze of day and 
the gloom of night, beholdeth the evil and the good. 

The retreat was continued, under incessant alarms, and not 
without cause, that the enemy was pressing close upon their rear. 
On the 24th, Mr. Green Hill visited the camp, and preached on 
Quench not the Spirit. 1 Thes. v. 19. But they were not 
always privileged to spend the Sabbath in the holy exercise of 
worship. On Sunday, the 8th of October, the following entry 
occurs in the Journal of Mr. Lee. " I was but poorly employed ; 
— we had no religious meeting." During the retreat through 
Charlotte county, there was a skirmish between the English and 
American troops, in which several were killed. The roads were 



94 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



thronged with men, women, and children, with their property, 
flying before the face of the enemy. This was an affecting scene. 
Strong, stout-hearted men, mingled their sympathies with exposed 
and helpless women and children. Whether to beguile the painful 
feelings that oppressed him, or to test the principles and courage 
of the man who, except fighting with intent to kill, would perform 
any duty the exigencies of the army might require, we know not ; 
but certain it is, that, in the midst of this confusion, the Colonel 
rode to his side, and looking upon the defenceless crowd, some of 
whom were wounded, he said, "Well, Lee! don't you think you 
could fight now ?" Let not the reader smile, nor suspect that 
sympathy had mastered principle, or that promotion to the 
command of a small band of pioneers had elicited the martial 
spirit, and kindled its fires in the hitherto quiet bosom of Mr. Lee. 
But he did say he could fight, — but it must be with switches! 
" I told him I could fight with switches, but I could not kill a 
man." With a good bunch of birch he would have made dreadful 
havoc among the wicked men who had so seriously injured the 
men, and so terribly frightened the women and children ; but he 
would not kill. In obedience to duty, his own breast was bare 
to the foes of his country ; but his own blood should soak the soil 
where he stood, before he would raise his arm in mortal strife 
against any one who wore the form in which the Redeemer of 
sinners had tabernacled among men. 

The effect produced upon the army by the annunciation of the 
defeat of their compatriots, is stated in a preceding page. In the 
following extract, we have the picture reversed : 

" Tuesday, Oct. 10. At night the news arrived in the camp that, 
on Saturday last, the Americans had a skirmish with the British 
and Tories, in King's Mountain, where our men gained a complete 
victory, and killed many of the enemy, and took the rest prisoners. 
We were all glad to hear the news, but some rejoiced with horrid 
oaths, and others determined to get drunk for joy. For my part, I 
felt thankful to God, and humbled before him, knowing that the 
battle is not to the strong." 

The excessive fatigue and constant exposure of the army were 
producing their invariable effects among the soldiers, — disease was 
spreading, and deaths were frequent. Here was tte true field of 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



95 



Mr. Lee's warfare. He " went among them where they lay in 
barns, at the point of death, and talked to them about their souls, 
and begged them to ' prepare to meet their God.' When con- 
venient, I attended the funeral of those who died, and prayed at the 
grave." 

In such efforts to glorify God, and do good, Mr. Lee was em- 
ployed until the 29th of October, when he received his discharge, 
and left the army. The arrival of the main body of the army 
under General Butler, some weeks previously, under whose com- 
mand there was also a Sergeant of pioneers, and one being deemed 
sufficient, the General, in consideration of his being the oldest offi- 
cer, gave Mr. Lee the privilege of resigning, and also granted him 
an honourable discharge from the army. He was not reluctant to 
avail himself of the privilege, but settled his business, bade his 
acquaintances farewell, and exchanged, joyously, and for ever, the 
riotous scenes of the military encampment for the more congenial 
employments of the ministry of reconciliation. 

On leaving the army, Mr. Lee took up the line of march, single 
file, and on foot, for his father's house in Virginia. The war spirit 
had passed over the path of his journey, and " on more than one 
occasion, he found it extremely difficult to procure a little bread for 
his subsistence." Yet, at other times, he found a hearty welcome 
to the abodes of plenty. Indeed, it was deemed a privilege, during 
the struggle for Independence, by every true-hearted American, to 
furnish the defender of his country's rights with food and shelter. 
He reached his homestead early in November, and was happy to 
find that God still blessed his father's house, and all that he had. 
Two of the family, a brother and sister, had, during his absence, 
been brought to " the knowledge of salvation by the remission of 
sins." With these he took sweet counsel ; and, in the public and 
domestic worship of his father's house, they were instructed in the 
way of the Lord more perfectly, and, walking in the comfort of the 
Holy Ghost, were edified. 

As on former visits to the parental roof, Mr. Lee was not idle. 
Although he still hesitated, from distrust of his fitness for the work, 
to devote himself wholly to God in the work of the ministry, yet he 
could no more cease from his efforts to do good, and save souls, 
Jhan he could relinquish his hope of immortality at the right hand 



96 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



of God. His heart was fully set in him to " serve God for the pro- 
moting of His glory and the edifying of His people." Accordingly 
he kept up a regular plan of appointments during his stay among 
his friends. But, although he was in labours abundant, and pos- 
sessed a joyous assurance of his acceptance in the Beloved, his 
mind was ill at ease. Of his duty to preach the gospel he was 
happily without a doubt, but there was an inward impulse, a voice 
within, moving the depths of his heart, and commanding him to 
arise and depart, and bear the precious seeds of life to the hearts 
of the forlorn and dying multitudes, stretching out on every hand, 
through wide fields, waiting the coming of the sower of the word 
of God. The itinerancy, that grand master instrument for upturn- 
ing the soil of far-reaching and desolate moral wastes, threw wide 
its portals and bade him enter, and, on a broader field, be a har- 
vester for God. The effects of that system of ministerial operations, 
small then, but gradually enlarging, and successfully developing its 
adaptation to the purposes of Christianity, he had been a delighted 
witness of from its commencement in Virginia ; and he was not a 
stranger to the blessings it brought to the homes and hearts of re- 
deemed and rejoicing families. Nor was he ignorant of the toil and 
self-sacrifice, the strange unearthliness of devotion actuating those 
who, for love of souls, and in submission to Christ, went into the 
highways and hedges to seek and save that which was lost. He 
had grown up in the midst of these self-renouncing men. He knew 
their habits of labour and devotion, that they were in watchings 
oft, in fastings oft, in peril always, and ceaseless in prayer. And 
he appreciated their motives, venerated their character, and 
triumphed in their safety and success. That they were in the right 
place, and engaged in the right work, he was fully convinced, — 
were not the seals of success around him, was not the superscrip- 
tion of their Divine commission written upon his own heart ? But 
was it the place for him 1 Could he enter that work 1 Could he 
cultivate the corners of that ever-enlarging field, or glean in the 
path of those heaven-commissioned and mighty men ? It was no 
unwillingness to serve God in any department of His Church, to 
glorify Him by any measure of toil and suffering, that made Mr. 
Lee hesitate to go forward in a way so obviously in the line of 
duty, and for which he was evidently qualified by a rich " experience 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



97 



of the things of God." If he hesitated, it was that by prayer he 
flight more clearly discern his duty ; if he paused, it was that he 
might the more carefully examine the strange feelings stirred up 
within him by the mighty strivings of the Spirit. His own language 
will best indicate the state of his mind with respect to this most 
important step of his life. 

" I had been for some time deeply exercised about travelling and 
preaching the gospel ; and at times it appeared that I could not 
with a clear conscience resist the thought, and still was unwilling 
to go, fearing that I should injure the work of God, which I loved 
as I did my oiun life." 

Willing to go, but held back by a dread of doing injury to the 
work of God ; and yet anxious to settle a question so full of 
importance in every aspect in which he might consider it, he says : 

" I finally concluded that I would change my state," by entering 
into the married relation, " supposing that I should then be freed 
from these exercises ; but when I made the attempt, I continued to 
pray, and prayed in earnest, that if it was the will of God that I 
should ever be called to the itinerant field, that I might not. suc- 
ceed, but by the intervention of some means be prevented." He 
was prevented. The meditation of his heart came to nought. His 
prayers were answered, and, in this respect, " matters turned out 
for his spiritual advantage." He was to be wedded to the Church, 
and a spiritual seed was all he was to raise up for God.* Of these, 
he was the father of many, begotten through the gospel of Christ. 

* At the period here spoken of, matrimony was considered an effectual bar to 
the itinerancy. A very meagre support was allowed to the ministry, and the 
difficulties in the way of married men were numerous and full of embarrass- 
ment. Hence, only a few married, and they very soon " desisted from travel- 
ling," or, as we now phrase it, located. So many of the early Virginia Metho- 
dist ministers grew old in celibacy, and died without marrying, that the people 
seemed to think it wrong for them to marry at all. As late as 1828, when the 
present writer entered the ministry, it was considered a very impolitic step to 
enter into the holy estate of matrimony. As far back as 1809 or 1810, the Con- 
ference had adopted a by-law, prohibiting its members from taking any steps 
towards marrying until after they had travelled two years, and been admitted 
into full connexion. The design of the rule was to prevent young ministers 
from forming marriage connexions previous to the establishment of their minis- 
terial character, and so far it was a good rule. But its operation was partial, 
and it was always perplexing. Since 1837 it has become a dead le f ter. Its 

7 



98 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



On such a subject as that which so deeply agitated the mind of 
Mr. Lee, God does not always leave his servants to work out their 
own conclusions. It may be regarded as a fixed rule of the Divine 
procedure, in all cases, that the first impressions of duty, with re- 
spect to the work of the ministry, are made upon the heart of the 
individual who is thus separated unto the gospel of God. It could 
not be otherwise. But these impressions are not confined there. 
The self-same Spirit " worketh when, where, and how He will." 
Even while the internal struggles are going on, ere yet they have 
worked their way outward so as to produce any very marked cha- 
racteristics upon the external being, others are becoming aware of 
the existence of the feeling, and interested in it. The half-concealed 
effort to do good, the decided interest taken in the work of the 
Lord, the undisguised anxiety to see sinners brought into the way 
of life, the readiness to work unnoticed, even in little things, if 
thereby good may be done, these, as they are embodied in the 
words devotion and zeal, are shadows foretokening the way of the 
Lord — the work of the Spirit — in calling men to the holy employ- 
ments of the ministry. These attract the more pious and experi- 
enced brethren in Christ, and long before the person most interested 
in the issue, has settled the matter to his own satisfaction, the 
Church has become aware of God's gracious purpose, and is ready 
to attest her submission to it by admitting his right to the ministry, 
and clothing him with whatever of authority for the work it may 
be her province to bestow. And beyond this, facts, proofs of use- 
fulness, are brought in to show that the path of duty lies in yielding 
to the inward movings of the Spirit. Instances of both of these 
are furnished in his own narrative of this period of his life. 

" My exercises about travelling and preaching still continue. I 
have often been solicited by the Preachers to take a circuit, but am 
afraid I shall hurt the cause of God, which I wish with all my 
heart to promote. I feel willing to take up my cross and follow 

chief effect, perhaps, was to excite among the people a prejudice against mar- 
ried ministers, and so far it has done incalculable evil to the Church. It is be- 
lieved the law of the Discipline on this subject may be traced to this by-law. 
These facts will explain the reasons why the Virginia Conference was so long 
denominated the "Bachelor Conference." 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



99 



Christ, but tremble at the thought of touching the ark of the 
Lord too hastily." 

Some time in January 1781, "A young man," he says, " came 
to me, and taking me by the hand, told me that on the 12th of 
May last he came to hear me preach, and was cut to the heart by 
my discourse ; from which he went home and could neither eat, or 
drink, or sleep, in peace, until the 4th of June ; at -which time the 
Lord turned his mourning into rejoicing." In view of this fact he 
" was humbled in the dust, and praised the Lord." And he re- 
solved, since God " had blessed his labours in the conversion of 
one soul, to try again, and preach for the Lord." But he was not 
yet ready to " put on the harness ;" nor was the time come to 
thrust him into the harvest. But God was investing the ministry 
with a more profound and solemn interest in the mind of His ser- 
vant, and gathering around him a class of evidences of his desig- 
nation to the holy work, that, by after circumstances, were to be 
wrought into a clear and indelible conviction. 

The year 1781 was one of disaster to the spiritual interests of 
the Methodists in Virginia and North Carolina. Signs of religious 
prosperity generally, were good ; and some parts of the work were 
blessed with a gracious revival of religion. But the tramp of the 
war demon was in the land. Everything was disturbed and dis- 
ordered by " war and the rumours of war." The ministers could 
not keep up a regular plan of appointments ; and the members of 
Society were dispersed, or prevented from assembling together. 
Many of the male members of the Church were drafted, and com- 
pelled to reside in the camp, leaving their wives and children a prey 
to cares and griefs too deep and multiform to admit of attendance at 
the usual places of quiet and holy worship. Of those in the army, 
some lost their lives, nobly struggling for their country's freedom ; 
others met a worse fate, fell into sin, and were led captive by the 
devil at his will — " making shipwreck of the faith." " Some of the 
Methodists were bound in conscience not to fight ; and no threaten- 
ings could compel them to bear arms or hire a man to take their 
places. In consequence of this, some of them were whipped^ some 
were fined, and some imprisoned ; others were sent home, and 
many were much persecuted." These were trials indeed. Peril- 
ous times had come upon the infant Church. It was well; the 



100 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



long years of her history, of her trials and oppositions, show- 
how well she bore the yoke in her youth, and how readily she 
bares her back to the smiter now. Distant, as many of the Socie- 
ties were in fact, from the scenes of strife, there were yet loved 
ones in the army ; and such were the strong Christian sympathies 
of these believers for each other, that when one member suffered, 
the rest were ill at ease. Sometimes when assembled at the place 
of prayer, they received intelligence of the most painful bereave- 
ments. A father, that his son was dead — a wife, that her husband 
was wounded, and a prisoner in the hands of the foe ; or they were 
sick and likely to die.* Yet their faith did not fail them. They 
stood fast, and grace took deeper root in their hearts. Even 
Methodism, amidst all these discouragements, spread out her 
branches, and when the storm of war had passed by, her shadow 
covered a wider circle, and a richer soil, than when it commenced. 

On the 17th of April, 1782, the tenth Conference was held at 
Ellis's Meeting-House, in Sussex county, Virginia. The Societies 
had so multiplied, and were spread over so large a tract of country, 
that it was found necessary to hold two Conferences during the 
year, one in the North, the other in the South. These Confer- 
ences, however, were not independent of each other. The North- 
ern Conference being the oldest, and having the largest number of 
preachers, was allowed a limited supervision, if not a positive juris- 
diction, over the proceedings of the other. This power extended 
to the " making rules, and forming regulations for the Societies." 
A rule originating in the Southern Conference was nullified, if dis- 
approved by the Northern. But any rule determined by the Con- 
ference at the North was necessarily binding upon Preachers and 
people in the Southern division of the work.f It was, perhaps, 
owing to this arrangement, that the Conference in the South was 
held first ; and closed its proceedings by adjourning to meet a} the 
time and place of the session to be held in the North. A manu- 
script copy of the Minutes of the Conferences held at Ellis's Meeting- 
House, for the years 1782-3-4, now lying before me, has the fol- 
lowing running title over the proceedings of the last-named year :— 

* Hist. Methodists, p. 78. 
t Hist. Methodists, p. 78-79. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



101 



" Minutes of a Conference begun at Ellis's Chapel, Virginia, April 
the 30th, and ended at Baltimore Town, Maryland, May 28th, 
1784." This division, of a still united body, for there was really 
but one Conference after all, seems to have been designed more for 
the convenience of the Preachers in the Southern and more distant 
portions of the work, than for any other object. A Preacher in one 
division possessed the right to sit and vote in the other. And as 
the rules and regulations then forming the subjects of legislation, 
were of a prudential and temporary nature, there was not, that we 
are aware of, any ground of complaint, or any cause of dissatisfac- 
tion at the possession or exercise of the veto power, in the North- 
ern branch of the body. But it is, nevertheless, a power justly 
liable to objections, and requiring, at all times, to be strongly 
guarded. The organization of the Church in 1784, and the esta- 
blishment of a complete and well digested form of discipline, intro- 
duced a new arrangement, and gave a compactness and solidity to 
Methodism, that still stands, a test of the far-reaching acumen of 
its authors ; a demonstration of its congruity for its sole, noble 
work — the spreading of scriptural holiness over these lands. 

At this Conference Mr. Lee was present, — a deeply interested 
spectator of its proceedings. About thirty Preachers assembled, 
and they were united as one man. A most harmonious spirit per- 
vaded the body, and presided over its deliberations. The first ob- 
ject of consideration, according to the Manuscript Journal already 
referred to, furnishes a happy illustration of the character and aims 
of these men of God. After the names of the Preachers were call- 
ed, and the numbers in Society reported, the question was asked, — 
every word of which is of solemn import : " What can be done 
to revive the work ?" The answer, " To hold evening meetings, 
and to preach in the morning when convenient," evinces the nature 
of their views of the subject, and their readiness to engage in any 
work that the collective wisdom and experience of the body might 
consider proper to the great object of promoting a revival of the 
work of God. Meetings such as those recommended, have always 
been held in great esteem among the Methodists. They were in 
great favour with Mr. Wesley, and his indefatigable co-labourers. 
And they are in some sort identified with the history of revivals 
among us. We merely state the fact without attempting to explain it. 



102 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



The subject of " a regular and impartial supply of the wants of 
the Travelling Preachers," was a matter, no less delicate than im- 
portant, that claimed their attention. And the regulation adopted 
furnishes an edifying proof of their magnanimous self-denial, their 
generous brotherhood of sympathy and interest. It was resolved 
that, " everything received in money or clothings should be val- 
ued by the Stewards at eveiy Quarterly Meeting, and an account 
of the Preacher's deficiencies given him to bring to Conference, 
that he may be supplied out of the profits arising from the sale of 
the books and the yearly collections. Thus all were brought to a 
level, — talents and popularity divided their contributions with the 
laborious but less gifted of their brethren. 

In order to prevent improper persons from intruding into the 
ministry, or continuing therein, it was resolved that the certifi- 
cate of authority, given to Travelling Ministers, should be annually 
renewed ; and that of Local Preachers, quarterly. The certificate 
of the former was to testify on its face, " the authority this con- 
veys is limited to the next Conference :" while on that of the latter, 
was to be written, " this conveys authority no longer than the 
Preacher walks uprightly and submits to the direction of the Assist- 
ant." Another rule adopted at this Conference, and having in 
view the uncorrupted integrity of Methodism, was intended to pre- 
scribe the best and most orderly course of procedure with respect 
to cases of secession. The question was asked : " By what rule 
shall we conduct ourselves towards the Preachers and people that 
separate from us ?" The answer was, " Put the people out of So- 
ciety when they receive, and the Preachers when they administer 
the Ordinances, if they have been previously warned." This rule, 
it is presumable, was intended to carry out the provisions adopted 
for the adjustment of the " Contest about the Ordinances." It was 
at a Conference held in Virginia that the difficulty commenced. 
And one of the conditions of the adjustment was that the Preach- 
ers should desist from administering them. Of course, if it was a 
Dreach of the peace between the parties for the Preachers to ad- 
minister them, it was also wrong for the members to partake of 
them. In either case the offenders were to be " put out of So- 
ciety." It is not improbable but some of those engaged in the 
proceedings at Broken Back Church, had refused to enter into the 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



103 



arrangement brought about by the address and influence of Mr. 
Asbury. These, without a formal renunciation of the authority of 
the Conference, may have persisted in the administration of the 
Ordinances. And the people, anxious for themselves and their 
children to partake of them, and without due consideration of its 
impropriety, under the circumstances, may have availed them- 
selves of the opportunity of doing so. This view of the case is 
authorized by the provision, incorporated in the rule, that the de- 
linquent should have "been previously warned" before proceeding 
to final exclusion from the Society. It is obvious, however, that, 
in the judgment of the Conference, the administration of the Ordi- 
nances by the Preachers, or their reception by the members, was 
deemed equivalent to separation from the Methodist family. In 
the body of the rules adopted at this Conference, there is one of a 
general character that favours the interpretation just given of a par- 
ticular regulation. It is in these words : " Let the Preachers en- 
deavour to make the people acquainted with these rules, and their 
utility." The previous enactment of this rule may account for the 
introduction of the provisional requirement in the one just consi- 
dered. 

A resolution respecting Mr. Asbury, adopted with entire unani- 
mity by the Conference, will serve to show the very high estimation 
in which he was held by the Methodists, even at that early period 
of his ministry. It was asked, " Do the brethren in Conference 
unanimously choose Brother Asbury to act according to Mr. 
Wesley's original appointment, and to preside over the American 
Conference, and the whole work ?" This question was answered 
in the affirmative. This strong expression of confidence is a noble 
testimony to the great ability and disinterested zeal of Mr. Asbury. 
It is a wall of defence, shielding him from all that personal dislike 
or frustrated ambition have since invented to lessen his influence, 
or to stigmatize his fair and honourable fame. 

The Rev. Mr. Jarratt was also present at this Conference, and 
opened its proceedings by a sermon, founded on the 14th chapter 
of Hosea. Fit subject for such an occasion ; whether we consider 
the recently restored unity and confidence of the Conferences ; the 
present peace and spirituality of the Societies, or the prospective 
enlargement and triumph of Methodism, when her " branches 



104 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



should spread, and her beauty should be as the olive tree, and her 
smell as Lebanon." Mr. Jarratt was a faithful and zealous co-la- 
bourer with the Conference. He preached each day during its ses- 
sion ; and agreed, for the healing of the breach about the Ordinances 
and to satisfy the just wants of the people, to " visit all the circuits 
he could," to administer the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's 
Supper. As a testimonial of their high appreciation of his friend- 
ship, and his numerous good offices in their behalf, we have the 
following record on their journals : " The Conference acknow- 
ledge their obligations to the Rev. Mr. Jarratt for his kind and 
friendly services to the Preachers and people, from our first entrance 
into Virginia : and more particularly for attending our Conference 
in Sussex, both in public and private ; and we advise the Preachers 
in the South to consult him, and to take his advice in the absence 
of Brother Asbury." 

But what seemed chiefly to attract the attention of Mr. Lee, 
during the session of this Conference, was the strong and all-per- 
vading spirit of Christianity so manifest in all their proceedings. 
Such an exhibition of the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace, 
he had never witnessed. It had a powerful effect upon his feelings. 
The master chord of his heart was touched. The thoughts that 
had so often thrilled his heart with strange emotions, were settling 
down into absolute convictions. A chain was circling his soul. 
His own language will best express the impressions made on his 
mind by the fraternal temper of the Conference. 

" The union and brotherlv love which I saw among the'Preach- 
ers, exceeded everything I had ever seen before, and caused me tc 
wish that I was worthy to have a place amongst them. When they 
took leave of each other, I observed that they embraced each other 
in their arms, and wept as though they never expected to meet 
again. Had the heathen been there, they might have well said, 
' See how these Christians love one another !' By reason of what 
I saw and heard during the four days that the Conference sat, I 
found my heart truly humbled in the dust, and my desire greatly 
increased to love and serve God more perfectly than I had ever 
done before. 

" At the close of Conference, Mr. Asbury came to me and asked 
me if I was willing to take a circuit ; I told him that I could not 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



105 



well do it, but signified I was at a loss to know what was best for 
me to do. I was afraid^.of hurting the cause which I wished to 
promote ; for I was very sensible of my own weakness : at last he 
called to some of the Preachers standing in the yard a little way 
off, and said, ' I am going to enlist Brother Lee ;' one of them re- 
plied : ' What bounty do you give V He answered, ' grace here, 
and glory hereafter, will be given if he is faithful.' 

" Some of the Preachers then talked to me and persuaded me to 
go, but I trembled at the thought, and shuddered at the cross, and 
did not at that time consent," 

But though consent was withheld at the time, the sense of duty 
was riveted, and his heart was gained. Henceforth he was to cul- 
tivate the field of the Lord. He continued to fill his regular plan 
of preaching, and settled his " temporal concerns, in order that he 
might, at any time, be able to obey the will of God," in entering 
into the Travelling connexion. Early in November, at a Quarterly 
Meeting, he was importuned, by the Preachers, to travel a circuit, 
and gave his consent to make a trial of the matter. After spending 
a few weeks, in what, it is believed, was then the Sussex circuit, he 
received a letter from the Presiding Elder, Caleb Peddicord, re- 
questing him to accompany, and assist, Mr. E. Dromgoole in form- 
ing a new circuit in North Carolina, contiguous to the town of 
Edenton. Before meeting with his colleague, he encountered diffi- 
culties that somewhat discouraged him, and he was, at least, tempted 
to abandon an enterprise that presented a thousand difficulties to 
his mind, not the less appalling from his constant fear of doing in- 
jury to the cause of God. But he held on his way, and falling in 
with Mr. Dromgoole, they pursued their journey, and arrived in 
Edenton on the 1st of December, 1782. It is probable this was 
the first visit made to this place by the Methodist Preachers. There 
was a Church in Edenton previous to the Revolution.* It was 

* The following anecdote has come down of a predecessor of Mr. Pettigrew. 
He was not. so remarkable for piety as he was for his attention to his herring- 
fishery. One Sunday morning, the following doggerel lines stared him in the 
face from the door of the church : 

" A very fine church, 

With a very tall steeple ; 
A herring-catching parson, 
And a wicked set of people." 



106 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



still standing, with a resident minister, the Rev. Mr. Pettigrew, at 
the time of the arrival of these servants of God. According to the 
fashion of the times, among the class to which he belonged, Mr. 
Pettigrew was considered a good man. It is believed he was inof- 
fensive ; and it is certain he was not unfriendly to the Methodists. 
There is still in an adjoining county a chapel, known as Pettigrew's 
Chapel, built by the old parson, and, by express provision in the 
deed devoting it to religious purposes, it is left free to the occupancy 
of all Orthodox Christians who hold the doctrine of Infant Baptism. 
We believe it is still a regular place of worship in the plan of Co- 
lumbia circuit, North Carolina Conference. On arriving in Eden- 
ton, Mr. Dromgoole and his colleague visited Mr. Pettigrew ; and 
on the same day they accompanied him to Church, when, after the 
parson " read the morning service, Mr. Dromgoole delivered an 
exhortation ; and, by permission, made an appointment to preach 
the next day." They spent the night with Mr. Pettigrew ; and an 
attentive congregation were willing hearers of the word of life at 
the parish church on the following day. 

Intent on their mission, they left Edenton soon after the service 
of the day was finished. From the record we have of their journey, 
they took the direction to Norfolk, along the present stage-route 
between the two places. It is presumable the town of Elizabeth 
City, containing now from one thousand to fifteen hundred in- 
habitants, with three churches, situated nearly midway between 
Edenton and Norfolk, was not then in existence ; at least they say 
nothing of it, although they were in the immediate vicinity of its 
site. The country lying between Edenton and Pasquotank River 
was, at the period of which we write, mostly inhabited by Quakers. 
They met a rather singular adventure ; and, as it appeared to Mr. 
Lee, a very inhospitable reception, at the close of their first day's 
journey. Late in the evening, they stopped at the house of a 
Quaker, and asked permission to spend the night with him. With- 
out either consenting or refusing, he replied, " If you choose to 
get down, I will not turn you away." They were as much per- 
plexed by this not-refused and scarcely-granted permission, as they 
would have been by a blunt denial of admission. But night was 
gathering its all-concealing folds around them ; they were in a 
strange country ; there were no taverns ; they were they knew not 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



how distant from another house, and they might meet a worse 
reception there. It was clearly no time for ceremony. They 
accordingly put the best face they could upon the matter, dis- 
mounted and went into the house, and strove to make themselves 
welcome. And they had no reason to regret it. They were hos- 
pitably entertained. But another surprise awaited them. Before 
retiring to rest, they proposed to hold family prayer. The Spirit 
did not move the Quaker to that duty ; but he would not refuse his 
permission. Like their entrance into his house, it must be of their 
own accord. He would neither approve nor forbid, nor would he 
be present at it. " If you have a mind to pray," he said, " I will 
leave the room." And so he did ; and, closing the door after him, 
he left them to such worship as they might feel free to engage in. 

They continued their journey through Pasquotank and a part of 
Camden county, into Norfolk county, Virginia ; and returned to 
Edenton on the 18th of December, through Currituck and the coun- 
ties bordering upon the Pasquotank and Perquimans Rivers. During 
this trip they held religious meetings in nineteen different places ; 
and, for the most part, among a people who heard the gospel 
preached by the Methodists for the first time. They also formed 
the plan of Camden circuit, which, though covering scarcely one- 
fifth of its original ground, still stands among the regular appoint- 
ments of the Virginia Conference. While in Norfolk county, they 
found some persons who had been in society with the Methodists 
previous to the war of the Revolution. These were the fruits, it is 
probable, of the ministry of Mr. Watters, who formed a small cir- 
cuit in the country adjacent to Norfolk in 1772 ;* and of Mr. 
Asbury, who also preached in the same circuit in 1775; and, by 
special invitation, extended his labours into Currituck county, North 
Carolina. f But, during the war, Norfolk had been discontinued as 
a station, and was not again supplied with a Preacher until 1783. 
Deprived of a regular supply of Preachers, the Societies had fallen 
away, until only a mere remnant was found by Mr. Dromgoole and 
his colleague. Although the tour we have described began and 
terminated in Edenton, yet that place does not seem to have been 
included in the circuit then formed. In March 1785, Dr. Coke 

* Life of Watters, p. 28. 

t Asbury' s Journal, vol. i. pp. 115-120. 



108 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



was in Edenton, and he says :• — " The Preachers ought really to 
take this place into their plan, and there is a person who will 
receive them." This supposition is corroborated by the fact that 
Dr. Coke complains that Mr. Morris, the Preacher on the Camden 
circuit, had not published his appointments, and consequently he 
had to preach to very small congregations, or to omit it altogether.* 
In the Minutes for 1793, Edenton is first mentioned as a station ; 
it may have been previously included in the circuit. Although the 
Methodists entered this field of labour at this early period of their 
history in Virginia, they found it, at least in some measure, pre- 
occupied by those who were striving to worship God in spirit and 
truth. In Mr. Lee's Journal for the time, he speaks of dining 
with a family belonging to the Baptist Church, from whom he and 
his colleague received the most kind and courteous treatment. 
Indeed, they found in all their journeyings a people prepared of 
the Lord, willing to receive them as messengers of the Lord of 
Hosts, and glad of the opportunity of hearing the word of life. 
The closing reflection of Mr. Lee, in his narrative of this first 
attempt to carry Methodism into a new region, will show the effect 
it had produced in his own mind, especially with its probable ulti- 
mate results : " I felt thankful to God for the privilege of visiting 
that strange people, and I had no doubt but our labours were 
acceptable to God, and profitable to the people." The district of 
country embraced in what was the Camden circuit of 1783, remains 
to the present time full of the good fruits of that first planting. 
Methodism has struck its roots deep in the affections of thousands , 
and society takes its character of strength and purity, in some mea- 
sure, from its precepts and institutions. 

In the preceding account of the formation of Camden circuit, the 
narrative of Mr. Lee has been followed, especially with respect to 

* Arminian Magazine, vol. L, 1789, pp. 340-341. Dr. Coke evidently la- 
boured under a mistake in charging this neglect upon Mr. Morris. According 
to the Minutes of 1784 (Dr. Coke was on his way to the Virginia Conference 
of 1785), Mr. Morris was on the Hampton circuit, entirely in the rear of the 
Doctor's course. The Camden circuit, through which he was travelling, had 
at the time two preachers on it, Richard Ivy and William Dameron. The last- 
named of these "came to mee-t" Dr. Coke in Edenton. From these facts, it 
seems that Mr. Morris might have been very justly spared the censure con- 
tained in the published Journal of Dr. Coke. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



109 



the name by which it was designated. But it does not so appear 
in the Minutes for 1783. In the Minutes for that year it stands as 
Pasquotank circuit, and twenty-two members are reported as be- 
longing to the Society. In 1784, Pasquotank is left out, and Cam- 
den is substituted. But in answer to the question, " What numbers 
are in Society V the report stands : " Camden and Banks," three 
hundred and fifty. Yet they are not published as a united circuit 
until 1786. The fact that the Minutes of the Conferences were 
never printed until the year 1785, may serve to account for the 
descrepancy in the name of the circuit, between the narrative of 
Mr. Lee, and the published Minutes. Or he, and his colleague, 
may have named it without the sanction of the Conference. 

Having filled up the measure of his duty in preparing the out- 
lines of a circuit, Mr. Lee parted with his colleague, and returned 
to the residence of his father.* Here he remained, busying him- 
self with some useful work on the farm, engaged in conducting 

* As the name of Mr. Dromgoole may not appear again in these memoirs, 
and as he filled an important position in Methodism, as one of its earliest minis- 
ters in America, it may not be amiss to furnish the following brief but interest- 
ing outline of his life, from the pen of his youngest son, the late Hon. George 
C. Dromgoole, of the Congress of the United States, in a letter to a gentleman 
of New York : 

" To William L. Mackenzie, Esq., New York : 

Washington City, 21st January, 1844. 
Dear Sir : Yours of the 2d was duly received. My parents were not both 
natives of the Emerald Isle. My father, Edward Dromgoole, was born in Sligo. 
When a youth he came to America, a poor boy, with religious impressions and 
a strong desire for religious freedom. He landed at Philadelphia in 1772 — came 
to Baltimore, and resided in that city, or its vicinity, with a Mr. John Haggerty 
a tailor by trade, and a man of most exemplary piety. Edward Dromgoole had 
been brought up in Ireland to the trade of a linen-weaver. When he came to 
reside with Mr. Haggerty, that he might not eat the bread of idleness, he as- 
sisted him in the business of tailoring. The thimble with which he worked is 
still carefully preserved in the family. They worked together and prayed to- 
gether, and thus formed a social and religious attachment, which endured during 
their joint lives : and the survivor, Edward Dromgoole, to the day of his death, 
cherished the memory of his departed friend with the fondest recollection. 
They were disciples, or followers as it was termed in those days, of John 
Wesley. 

In 1774. Edward Dromgoole commenced preaching. While residing with 



110 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



religious worship at his own appointments, or in assisting the 
Preachers on the circuit, until the spring of 1783. 

It is gratifying to trace the growth of Methodism, to witness the 
successful developement of its plans of doing good. Energy and 
perseverance are elements of its nature. Its morning periods were 
full of zeal. Success only served to multiply its resources, and 
give a keener relish to its great moving principle, a desire to spread 
Scripture holiness over the earth. It was annually strengthening 
its stakes, and lengthening its cords. In twelve years from the 
arrival of Mr. Asbury in America, a line of circuits had been 
formed, extending from New York to North Carolina, and spread 
out over the intermediate states. The Minutes of 1783, the period 
reached in the narrative, report thirty-nine circuits, eighty-two 
travelling Preachers, and 13,740 members. In Virginia it was 
still successful. From Petersburg, where Mr. Williams had first 
commenced his successful career in the state, as a central point, it 
had gradually enlarged the circle of its influence. Its messengers 
were among the swamps of the lowlands, and their words of en- 
treaty and warning were heard among the hills and vales of the 
Western borders. More than twenty Preachers were engaged in 
publishing the gospel of peace, and nearly 3000 souls were united 
together in the fellowship of Christian love. 

Mr. Haggerty, however, he formed a society or class of Methodists, and held 
the first Methodist Class-Meeting in America. 

He settled in Brunswick county, in the state of Virginia, where he resided 
until his death, in 1835, in the eighty-fourth year of his age, having been a 
minister of the gospel for more than sixty years.' ' 

Mr. Dromgoole is mistaken as to his father's holding the first class-meeting 
in America. They had been held several years previously, in New York, and 
elsewhere. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



Ill 



CHAPTER IV. 

FROM HIS ADMISSION INTO THE TRAVELLING CONNEXION 
IN 1783, TO THE ORGANIZATION OF THE METHODIST EPIS- 
COPAL CHURCH IN 1784. 

Itinerancy — Mr. Lee enters the Travelling Connexion — Conference in Virginia 
— Temperance Measures — Slavery — Appointed to Caswell Circuit — A sleepy 
Congregation — Transferred to Amelia Circuit — Extracts from his Journal — 
Labours — Experience — Conference of 1784 at Ellis's Meeting-house — Mr. 
Jarratt's Sermon — Appointed to Salisbury Circuit — Journal — A sick Lady — 
A dangerous Ford — Anecdote, Note — General Conference of 1784 — Inability 
to attend — Organization of the Church — General Review of the Proceedings 
and Principles of " The Christmas Conference," — Mr. Lee at his Work — 
Meets with Bishop Asbury — Gown and Bands — Travels with the Bishop to 
Charleston — Inception of his Mission to New England — Preaches in Charles- 
ton — Returns to his Work — Administration of Discipline — Closes his year's 
Labour — Reflections — Prosperity of the Church consequent upon its Oigani- 
zation. * 

No opinion is more common among the Methodists than that of 
the Divine approval of their system of itinerant ministry. Nor is 
it a less common belief that no one can properly enter into the 
itinerancy without a special Divine designation. This opinion is 
identical with Methodism in every place of its existence, and may 
be traced through every period of its history, back to its com- 
mencement. It was this consciousness of being " inwardly moved 
by the Holy Ghost,'' that forced Wesley from the quiet enjoyments 
of " learned leisure" in Oxford ; and it is confessedly the impelling 
motive of all who, like him, consider the work of the ministry as 
the chief duty of life, and the wide world as the parish in which 
their ministry is to be fulfilled. A willingness " to serve God for 
the promoting of His glory" in any field of His empire, or any de- 
partment of His work, is the first element of fitness for the minis- 
try ; and " the edifying of His people" is the living proof of 
authority. 

In the preceding chapter, the inward workings of Mr. Lee's 
mind, with respect to the Travelling connexion, have been freely 



112 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



presented. Actuated by a sincere desire to do good in the earth 
yet distrusting his own heart, and fearing he might carry a blight 
instead of a blessing into the heritage of the Lord, he had spent 
long years of deep and perplexing anxiety. His hesitancy origi- 
nated in no unwillingness to serve God ; no backwardness to save 
souls ; nor did he shrink from the toils and self-sacrifice demanded 
by the itinerancy of that early day. No ; it was the contest 
between devotion to the cause of God, and fear of doing it 
injury : — duty urged him forward, doubt held him back. On both 
sides the feeling was intense. Even after consent was given, he 
wavered for a moment ; and as his vision stretched out upon the 
far-reaching fields of moral desolation, whitening on every hand, 
he felt a trembling apprehension of unfitness for a work that well 

" Might fill an Angel's heart, 
And filled a Saviour's hands." 

But he was graciously withheld from a wrong decision. His trust 
was in the mighty God of Jacob — He preserves His people " from 
error and false doctrine," no less than from " viciousness of life 
and He led His servant in the way of peace. It was with a clear 
and strong sense of duty that he passed from under the 'cloud that 
had so long pressed upon his spirits into the calm and steady sun- 
light of a quiet and trusting confidence. And that sun was to shine 
unclouded for ever. Its blessed light was to rest upon life's widest 
and latest horizon ; and its deepest vales were to be cheered by its 
illuminations. In the strength of that conviction, and the joy of 
its light, he went wherever Methodism demanded his labours, or 
the destitution of the people held out a promise of doing good. 

At the Virginia Conference held at Ellis's Meeting-House, Sus- 
sex county, Virginia, on the 6th of May, 1783,* Mr. Lee was 
received on trial in the Travelling connexion. He was entering 
upon a wider field of usefulness in the Church, and taking higher and 
holier responsibilities. But there was the same self-distrust, the same 
quiet determination to follow God in all things, in all his ways. 

* This date agrees with the printed Minutes ; and Lee's History of the Me- 
thodists, p. 82. But Bishop Asbury, Journal, vol. i. p. 356, says the Confer- 
ence commenced on the 7th of May. The Rev. M. Thrift, Memoirs of Lee. 
adopts the same date. For various reasons, I prefer the date of the Minutes 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



113 



Weak in himself, he was strong in God. There is a vast difference 
between a sense of duty to engage in the work of the ministry, and 
a sense of fitness for the work. One may be tremblingly alive to 
the awful responsibilities of his calling, who is, nevertheless, fully 
convinced of the duty to engage in it. These views and feelings 
are not incompatible with each other. On the subject of the min- 
istry, extremes — the extremes of confidence and timidity, of force 
and acquiescence — often meet. In the case of Mr. Lee, notwith- 
standing his hearty submission to the Divine appointment, there is 
a striking illustration of this truth. After connecting himself with 
the Conference, he says : " Nothwithstanding I have had ten years 
experience as a Christian, and have been a public speaker more than 
five years, I trembled at the thought of the station I was about 
to fill." 

The Conference at which Mr. Lee was received on trial in the 
Travelling ministr}-, was one of great concord and peace. The 
Preachers were men of one work, and they were of one mind and 
heart in the knowledge and love of God. Many of them had seen 
the fruit of their ministry in the fields of their labour ; the work 
was enlarging on every hand, prosperity was in all their borders; 
and as there was no ground for distrust, so there was no occasion 
for strife. If there was emulation among them, it consisted in an 
earnest desire to do good. There seems to have been unity, with- 
out a note of discord, in all their deliberations. Some of the pro- 
ceedings of this Conference possess an importance that no distance 
of time can abate ; and show that at that early period of the reli- 
gious history of Virginia, the Methodists entertained views of Chris- 
tian duty, far in advance of the age, unpopular at the time, it is 
true, but now regarded, so far as public morals- are concerned, as 
only secondary to Christianity itself. Their decided opposition to 
the then very common practice of " distilling grain into liquor," is 
recorded in language that no ingenuity can misunderstand or per- 
vert. At a Conference held in Baltimore in 1780, the practice of 
distilling spirits was disapproved of; and they resolved to "disown 
their friends who will not renounce the practice." But in Virginia, 
in 1783, they proceeded yet further, and condemned it as " wrong 
in its nature and consequences ;" and refused to permit their friends 



8 



114 



THE LIFE 



AND TIMES OF 



to " make spirituous liquors, or sell, and drink them in drams."* 
The rule upon this subject deserves an imperishable record. It 
was a noble testimony ; and had no small influence upon the com- 
munity. They preached in the pulpit what they had resolved in the 
Conference to be an evil ; and the fires of many a still were extin- 
guished, and raanv orchards were cut down and committed to the 
flames. From that time to the present the Church has not ceased 
to declare its unmitigated abhorrence of spirituous liquors. 

Slavery also came under the condemnation of the Conference. 
It had been denounced at the Conference of 1780 ; the denunciation 
was repeated here. In his Journal, under date of May the 7th, 
1783, Air. Asbury, speaking of the Conference, says: "We all 
agreed in the spirit of African liberty, and strong testimonies were 
borne in its favour in our love-feast." In 1780, an affirmative 
answer was given to the question, " Ought not this Conference to 
require those Travelling Preachers who hold slaves, to give pro- 
mises to set them free?" In 1783, the rule had respect to the 
Local Preachers, and seems to have been restricted in its operation 
to those states in which emancipation was authorized by law.'f 
But the Journal of Mr. Asbury respecting the feelings and testimo- 
nies borne on the subject in the love-feast, indicates the presence, 
and, to some extent, the prevalence of anti-slavery feelings among 
the people. Such feelings, though not very general, were occa- 
sionally found among the Methodists of the times we are now 
reviewing. But they were checked, when, a few years after, the 
Conference discovered it had travelled too rapidly in advance of 
public opinion, and prudently retracing its steps, reconsidered its 
decisions, and rescinded its rules ; and left the whole subject to be 
modified by the legitimate influence of Christianity, and ultimately 

* The following is the language of the rule. " Ques. Should our friends be 
permitted to make spirituous liquors, sell, and drink them in drams ? Ans. 
By no means: we think it wrong in its nature and consequences; and desire 
all our Preachers to teach the people by precept and example to put away this 
evil." 

t " Ques. What shall be done with our Local Preachers who hold slaves, 
contrary to the laws which authorize their freedom, in any of the United States ? 
Ans. We will try them another year. In the mean time, let every Assistant 
deal faithfully and plainly with everyone, and report to the next Conference. 
It may then be necessary to suspend them." Minutes, 1783. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



115 



to the issue of wise and humane laws, guided on either hand by 
patriotism and philanthropy. As, at a later period of his life, Mr. 
Lee engaged somewhat in the discussion of the subject of slavery, 
the reader is referred to a subsequent page for a discovery of his 
opinions of the matter, and for a more extended notice of our eccle- 
siastical proceedings on the question. 

At the close of Conference, Mr. Lee received an appointment to 
the Caswell circuit, in the state of North Carolina. This was a 
newly formed circuit ; its name does not previously appear upon the 
Minutes. His colleague, in charge of the circuit, was Peter Mo- 
riarty. From the Conference he returned to his father's, and com- 
menced his preparations for his journey to a distant place, among 
a strange people. Before leaving the neighbourhood, while riding 
to an afternoon appointment, on Sunday, the 25th of May, he saw 
a brilliant meteor darting through the air, in a line from the north- 
east to the south-west. It moved in a horizontal direction for 
many miles, until it disappeared below the horizon. A few mi- 
nutes after it passed from his sight, he heard a noise resembling 
distant thunder. Perhaps the most remarkable circumstance attend- 
ing this singular phenomenon was, that the sun w r as shining at the 
time. The matter had no other effect upon his mind than to excite 
his wonder, and raise his thoughts to Him who is the Maker and 
Preserver of all. In everything, he saw the hand or heard the 
voice of God. He reached his circuit on the 23d of June ; but his 
stay on it was short. The circuit had been formed by taking a 
few appointments from some of the adjacent circuits ; and he and 
his colleague had to strike out a new path through what was then 
a moral desolation. His first appointment was unpropitious and 
discouraging. It was at the residence of Mrs. Parker. The con- 
gregation was small, composed chiefly of labourers, called in from 
the harvest-field, and unfitted, if not reluctant, to engage in wor- 
ship. Mr. Lee does not say they went to sleep while he was 
preaching ; perhaps he felt a delicacy, as a young minister, in re- 
cording what might have seemed a reflection upon his pulpit-power 
to please and instruct ; but it would be a very justifiable inference 
to suppose they did. And they might have slept soundly, without 
any disparagement to the Preacher, young as he was. The tran- 
sition from the sun of the harvest-field to the shade and rest of the 



116 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



house, would relieve the stripling of all suspicion of inability to 
breathe eloquence upon them. Many an older minister has had a 
sleepy congregation, without half so good a reason for it. But it 
was his first appointment, and he was a little mortified ; and his 
thoughts wandered over the long path he had travelled from his 
father's house. 

At his next appointment, which was on Sunday, the 29th, at 
Parish's Meeting-House, he had a more wakeful congregation, and 
preached with much better success. On the following Tuesday, at 
the same place, he was much refreshed in his own soul, while en- 
deavouring to instruct and comfort others. His spirit was greatly 
revived ; and the people were considerably affected, while listening 
to the gracious words that proceeded out of his mouth. He found, 
by a joyful experience, that God had not forgotten to be gracious ; 
and he was greatly encouraged with the prospect of contributing 
to make that moral desert to rejoice and blossom as the rose. So it 
was to bloom and bring forth abundantly.* But other hands were 
to plant the trees of righteousness in that fertile soil. Mr. Lee 
could only deposite a few seeds, and depart to put forth his ener- 
gies to gather in the ripe fruits of a distant field. Upon trial, it was 
ascertained that the circuit was too small for the labour and support 
of two Preachers ; and Mr. Lee, as the younger, was removed, and 
subsequently sent to the Amelia circuit. This change in the field 
of his labour was not displeasing to him, since it brought him 
nearer to his home, and placed him among those who had earliest 
entered into the fellowship of Methodism in Virginia. He had 
spent but three weeks on the Caswell circuit ; and we know not 
that his ministry had made any very favourable impression upon 
those among whom he had gone preaching the kingdom of God. 
From the beginning, it has been a rule among the Methodists, that 
those who enter into the itinerancy are to submit their judgments, 
as to the place of exercising their ministry, to the godly decision 
of those to whom the charge and government of them is commit- 

* Caswell circuit remains to this day a regular appointment, now under the 
jurisdiction of the North Carolina Conference. It is regarded as one of the 
best circuits in the Conference, for piety and influence. Methodism is strong 
in the confidence of community ; and is a source of unmixed benefit to many 
of the most reputable families. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 11? 

ted. To this ruR ~ow, as in every period of his life, Mr. Lee 
yielded implicit obedience ; but, at the time we write of, and in the 
case before us, it is probable the suggestion to leave the circuit 
came from his colleague, or was the result of the uttered doubts 
of the Society as to their ability to provide for both. This conjec- 
ture is based upon several facts. Mr. Asbury, who was invested 
with the general oversight of the Societies, was in a distant part 
of the work ; Mr. Moriarty is not named in the Minutes of the 
year as an Assistant ; and it was some weeks subsequent to his re- 
moval from Caswell, and, by the Preachers assembled at a Quar- 
terly-Meeting in Roanoke circuit, that he was directed to proceed 
to the Amelia circuit. But, whatever the source of the suggestion, 
or the cause of the removal, he only desired to know that it was 
proper for him to go ; that point settled, every impediment was re- 
moved ; and he returned on his path with the independence of a 
freeman and the cheerfulness of a Christian. 

It was probably for the purpose of gaining specific instructions 
as to his future employment for the Conference year, that after 
m leaving Caswell circuit, he went to the Quarterly Meeting already 
referred to. The following extracts from his Journal will show 
how faithfully he adhered to one of the rules framed for the go- 
vernment of Methodist Preachers : — " Be diligent ; never be unem- 
ployed." His life was a servitude to this comprehensive rule of 
discipline. 

" Sunday, 20th of July, I preached at Whitaker's (Roanoke 
circuit), and the congregation wept under the word preached. 
When we met the class, the power and presence of the Lord was 
among us, and many cried aloud.* I was so deeply affected that 
I could not speak, till I had stopped and wept for some time. I 
preached again at night, and the people wept greatly. 

" Monday, 21st. We had a very lively meeting at Brother Young's 
in the day, and again at night, where there were about forty mem- 
bers in Society, and none of them professed to be converted except 
the leader of the class, but many of the mourners were deeply dis- 
tressed on account of their sins.f 

* At the Conference of 1779, it was asked: " Ought not every Travelling 
Preacher to meet the class wherever he preaches ? Ans. Yes ; if possible." 
t The Methodists consider " a desire to flee from the wrath to come, and to 



118 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



" Tuesday, 22d, we had meeting ai Low's, and the next day at 
John Clayton's, then went up into Warren county, where I met 
with. John Easter, and held meeting at Wm. Jean's ; the next day 
vve came to Benjamin Doale's, in Halifax county, where John Easter 
preached a profitable sermon. 

" Sunday, 27th, we held meeting at Jones' Chapel ; the next day 
at Brother Lock's : the day following at Richard Whitaker's, and 
the two following days at Tar-River Church. We had a good deal 
of life among us at these meetings. 

"Saturday, 16th, and Sunday, 17th of August, I attended a 
Quarterly Meeting at the Tabernacle, Roan Oak circuit. The first 
day we had two sermons, and the next day we had a lively love- 
feast. Then I preached, J. O. Kelly preached, and J. Easter ex- 
horted. It was indeed a day of the Lord's power, and many souls 
were comforted. One young man was awakened by the sermon 
which I preached, who afterwards became a Travelling Preacher.* 

"At this Quarterly Meeting the Preachers concluded that it 
would be best for me to go to Amelia circuit in Virginia, and fill 
the place of a Preacher that could not travel any longer. I willingly % 
consented ; I crossed Roan Oak River to T. Jones', and tarried all 
night. The next day I parted with several of the Preachers, and 
set off to my father's, where I arrived safe on Wednesday afternoon. 

" Sunday, 24th. I came to Amelia circuit, and travelled on some- 
what successfully until the middle of February, 1784." 

Thursday, December 25th, he has these remarks : 

" This day the people came out at Thompson's, and we had a 
comfortable meeting ; and my soul w&s much comforted in preach- 
ing to a people who had but little religion, and it was a solemn, 
profitable time to the hearers. 

be saved from their sins," as the " only previous condition of admission into 
their Societies." They very properly regard the Church as the refuge and 
resting-place of the penitent ; and Christian fellowship as the most effectual 
help to faith in Christ. Hence they receive penitents to their fellowship ; and 
admit them to the means of grace. And perhaps, in every large Society, afew 
such may be found. But the case mentioned in the test is the only instance of 
a whole Society composed of penitents, that has ever fallen under the author's 
notice. 

* The young man here referred to was Mark Moore, who entered the itine- 
rancy in 1786, and located in 1799.. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



IIS 



"At the close of the year I looked back on the many trials 
through which I had passed, and took a view of the many blessings 
conferred on my soul, and was truly thankful to God. The Lord 
give me grace to spend my strength, my talents, and my life to his 
glory. Amen. 

" Saturday, 31st, I preached at Mr. Spain's with great liberty to 
a good congregation, and the Spirit of the Lord came upon us, 
and we were bathed in tears. I wept, and so loud were the peo- 
ple's cries that I could scarcely be heard, though I spoke very 
loud. I met the class, — most of the members expressed a great 
desire for holiness of heart and life, and said they were determined 
to seek for perfect love. 

"Sunday, 18th of February, I preached at Coleman's with life 
and liberty, to a weeping congregation. When I met the class, 
we were highly favoured of the Lord, with a comfortable sense ©f 
His love shed abroad in our hearts ; the brethren wept, and praised 
God together. I was constrained to praise God for His goodness 
to me ; I was indeed very happy. 

" Saturday, 14th. We held our Quarterly Meeting for Amelia 
circuit, at old Father Patrick's — we had a good meeting for the first 
day. On Sunday morning we had a happy love-feast, at which 
time I wept very much, and prayed earnestly that the Lord would 
take every evil temper and every wrong desire out of my heart, and 
fill my soul with perfect love. I felt the pain of parting with my 
friends in that circuit, among whom I had been labouring for six 
months. I bade them farewell, and went to Sussex to travel the 
next quarter. 

" Wednesday, 18th, I took my place in Sussex circuit, and 
preached at my father's house, from Luke xix. 10. : For the Son 
of man is come to seek and to save that ivhich icas lost. It was a 
solemn day with me, and I felt a constant breathing after the Lord, 
and a longing desire to love Him with all my heart. O Lord ! 
hasten to my relief, and grant me the desire of my heart, for thy 
mercies' sake. 

" The next day I preached at the widow Heath's, and the day 
following, at a place called The College : the day after I preached 
at Howel's Chapel, where the Lord was pleased once more to visit 
my soul ; I spoke with many tears, and was very happy — the hearers 



120 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



wept greatly — it was a time of refreshing from the presence of the 
Lord. When I met the class, the people could hardly speak for 
weeping. It was a precious day to my soul. When I arose in the 
morning, I spent some time in walking about, meditating, and in 
earnest prayer. After awhile I went into the woods and sat down, 
and began to reflect on what the Lord had done for my soul ; and 
then began to think what He was still willing to do for me, till I 
wept before Him. My cry was, ' glory to God for ever;' He is 
the joy of my heart all the day long ; the cry of my soul was 

' I want no sharer of my heart, 
To rob my Saviour of a part.' 

" Sunday, 22d, I preached at Ellis' Meeting-House to a few peo- 
ple, and felt my soul all on fire of love. The next day I held 
meeting at Bednefield's, and the day after at Mr. Warren's. In 
the afternoon, as I was going home with one of the friends, he told 
me that the Lord had, not long since, sanctified his soul : his looks 
and his words satisfied me that he felt what he said: I was so 
deeply affected at the relation he gave me, that I wept heartily as I 
rode along the road. Glory to God for his goodness to my poor 
soul. 

' No pain, no suffering I decline, 
Only let all my heart be thine.' 

" Sunday, 29th, I preached at Lane's Meeting-House, and at 
night we held a watch-night at Evan's. I laboured hard that day, 
and was greatly blessed in my labours ; the people were lively in 
religion, and I was happy in God. I have had very few meetings 
of late that could be called barren, for I have been much blessed in 
private and in public, and have had generally much communion 
with God. 

" Sunday, March the 7th, I preached at Robert Jones', to a 
serious congregation ; and, blessed be God, it was a happy time, 
and the Lord was among us of a truth. In the evening I went to 
Wm. Oliver's, to see Thomas Chew, a Travelling Preacher, who 
was sick. 

" Friday, 12th, was my birth-day. This day I was twenty-six 
years old, and have enjoyed religion about eleven years ; and I 
thank God for the peace and comfort I still find in mv soul. I 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



121 



feel as much as ever determined to spend my life in the service of 
God, and to live and die a Christian. 

" Saturday, 20th, I preached at Howel's Chapel, from Ezek. 
xxxiii. 2. It was to me a time of uncommon comfort. When I 
came to the last part of the text, and to show what Christ had 
done for the people, that they might not die, many of the hearers 
wept, and some of them cried aloud. I saw so clearly that the 
Lord was willing to bless the people, even while I was speaking, 
that I began to feel distressed for them, and at last I burst into 
tears, and could not speak for some moments ; after stopping and 
weeping for some time, I began again^ but had spoken but a little 
while before the cries of the people overcame me, and I wept with 
them so that I could not speak ; I found that love had tears as 
well as grief. My full heart was constrained to cry ; — Glory be 
to God ! that I did feel a sincere love to the Lord Jesus. O, that 
I may love him with all my heart, and serve him all my days. 

" I continued to preach with much liberty for a few days after ; 
but by exerting myself too much, and travelling in the snow and 
wet weather, I took a severe cold, and was scarcely able to travel 
to my appointments ; and for several days I was not able to 
preach, but would give a short exhortation, meet the class, and 
dismiss the people. 

" Friday, 2d April, I preached at J. Richardson's to a few people. 
I found it a considerable cross to preach, as Brother T. S. Chew 
was present ; but I considered that Christ died on the cross, and 
that I must die under the cross, if ever I get to heaven. I felt 
much concerned for the salvation of the people, and was happy 
among them. The next day I preached at Wm. Richardson's, 
where the Lord was pleased to communicate great grace to our 
souls ; many of the Society were in tears when I met the class. 
Surely the Lord was in that place, and I was truly happy ; and 
yet my cry was, still, 

' 'T is worse than death my God to love, 
And not my God alone.' 

" Sunday, 4th, I preached at Robert Jones', to a serious 
company of people, and had liberty among them ; but the severe 
cold I have ] aboured under for some time has bowed down my 



122 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



spirits, so that I can neither read, nor write, nor meditate, with as 
much satisfaction as usual. I have lately found my soul much 
blessed by reading the life of Mr. Walsh. 

" April 9th, being Good Friday, I preached at Perkins' ; and 
while I was speaking of the sufferings of Christ, I had a com- 
fortable view of Him by faith, as hanging on the cross, and 
bleeding and dying for me. 

" Wednesday, 21st, preached at Rowl's. Here, while I was 
speaking, I was so sensible of its being the will of God that we 
should be sanctified, that I was ready to believe that He would 
destroy sin both root and branch. I lifted up my soul to God in 
prayer, and with tears in my eyes ; and, blessed be God, I felt 
Him near, very near to my soul : my faith and confidence in God 
were much strengthened. The friends wept much, and some of 
them said they had been seeking perfect love by works, but they 
were determined now to seek it by faith, and faith alone." 

It has been seen in the preceding extracts, that after spending 
six months on the Amelia circuit, Mr. Lee was sent to the Sussex 
circuit, where he remained until the session of the Conference in 
the spring of 1784. Such changes were very common among the 
Methodist Preachers in the earlter period of our history in this 
country. At the present time similar changes would seem to imply 
unfitness for the work, or the presence of some local cause, making 
them necessary for the general welfare of the Church, and they 
would be regarded, to some extent, as discreditable to the reputa- 
tion of the minister subject to them. But then, they entered into 
the system. By the action of the Conference, they were sometimes 
ordered to change with each other quarterly ; and at the session of 
1782, nearly all the members were required to change at the expi- 
ration of six months. Everything was itinerant. The Preachers 
not only revolved on their circuits, but on their Conferences, and 
the Conferences, in turn, were locomotive. Methodism itself never 
had a fixed point. The centre of unity, in her ecclesiastical organi- 
zation, is an i^s^rant general superintendency. 

At an earlier period of his ministry, Mr. Lee was under the 
conviction that the peculiar sphere of his usefulness would lie in 
the edifying of believers. And, if we may judge from the portions 
of his Journal just quoted, he was not altogether mistaken. But 



THE REV . JESSE LEE. 



123 



his ministry was efficient among those who were not numbered 
among the people of God. Many were, doubtless, convinced of 
sin, and brought to a hearty repentance and true faith in Christ, 
under his ministry ; but to what extent he was thus made a blessing 
we have no means of ascertaining with any measure of certainty. 
It may be stated, however, that during the year the number of 
members in Society was not enlarged, at least the report of 1784 1 
shows a decrease of thirty-nine in the circuit. But as in 1782, ! 
" Amelia and Buckingham" formed one circuit, with 200 members ; 
and as in 1783, Buckingham was omitted in the name, and Amelia 
was returned with 356 members ; and as in 1784, Amherst and 
Bedford circuits, both contiguous to Buckingham, were formed, 
certainly out of what had formerly composed a part of Amelia 
circuit, and the former reported with 290 members, it is highly 
probable that the most, if not all of these members were derived 
from the Amelia circuit. And if so, then there must have been an 
increase rather than a decrease on the circuit during the year. These 
circumstances, in connexion with the effects recorded as having 
attended the ministry of Mr. Lee, render it nearly certain that under 
his faithful labours, the Church was not only edified, but multiplied. 

In the Sussex circuit, Mr. Lee was among his kindred and 
friends. His father's house was one of the regular appointments. 
Amid such associations, engaged in a work so fruitful of blessings ; 
and especially where the ardent and all-pervading piety of his 
cherished homestead was brought to influence his heart, it is not 
surprising to find him breaking forth in songs of praise, nor to 
witness, what must strike every reader of the extracts from his 
Journal, the increasing steadfastness of his faith, the enlarging circle 
of his love. He continued to attend his appointments on the circuit 
until the week preceding Conference ; and left behind him the savour 
of an experience rich in Christian excellence, and the influence of 
a ministry that had been fruitful in every good word and work. 

The Virginia Conference for the year 1784, was held at Ellis's 
Meeting-House, Sussex county, Va., and commenced on the 30th 
of April. The printed Minutes for this year bear the running 
title of a Minutes of some Conversations between the Preachers in 
connexion with the Rev. John Wesley, begun at Ellis's Preaching- 
House, Virginia, April 30th, 1784, and ended at Baltimore, May 



124 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



28th, following." In previous years the words " adjourned to Bal- 
timore," were used instead of " ended at Baltimore." The " busi- 
ness of Conference," according to Mr. Asbury, " was conducted 
with uncommon love and unity." At this Conference, the question 
" What Preachers have died this year ?" was introduced into 
the Minutes. Previously no record had been kept of those who 
died in the work. But it was not until the Conference of 1785, 
that the notice was accompanied with anything like a biographical 
sketch of the departed.*" It was at this Conference also, that the 
practice, still so common, of writing the times of holding the regu- 
lar fast- days on the back or blank leaf of the class-book, was 
authorized. The object of the direction was to secure the more 
general and effectual keeping of the days of fasting which were 
appointed for each quarter of the Conference year. But, by what 
seems a strange notion, the Preachers were directed to write upon 
every " class-book, " The first Friday after every Quarterly 
Meeting, is to be observed as a day of fasting and prayer." This 
is stated on the authority of Mr. Lee ;f the Minutes say nothing 
about prayer, although it was undoubtedly included in the general 
duty of fasting. At a subsequent period the rule was altered so as 
to make the Friday before each Quarterly Meeting the regular day 
for fasting and prayer. All Fridays in the year were observed as 
days of fasting and prayer by the early Methodists. But there is 
ground for fear that the practice is constantly declining among us. 
It may be for this reason that " the ways of Zion do mourn !" 

Mr. Jarratt was an interested spectator of the proceedings of the 
Conference, and lent his valuable assistance to promote the unity 
and prosperity of Methodism. He preached during the session 
from 1 Tim. i. 4. And as, at a subsequent period of his life, writ- 
ing about this Conference, he couples it with the act of the Preach- 
ers in ordaining each other ; and as he seems never te have given 
place to the doctrine of Apostolical Succession, or to have set up 

* The following are the first answers ever given to the question, " Who 
have died this year ?" 

" Ans. Caleb Peddicord, a man of sorrows, and, like his Master, acquainted 
with grief; but a man dead to the world, and much devoted to God : 

" And George Mair, a man of affliction, but of great patience and resignation; 
and of excellent understanding." Minutes, 1785. 

t Hist. Methodists, p. 89. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



125 



any exclusive claims for the Church to which he belonged, — only- 
claiming for it an excellence equal to that of " any Church what- 
ever," — it is not improbable but he took occasion from the text to 
point out the insufficiency of " endless genealogies," and the great- 
er value of " godly edifying." At a subsequent period of his life, 
unless his biographer took very unbecoming liberties with his let- 
ters, Mr. Jarratt regretted the active part he had taken in promot- 
ing the cause of Methodism, and wrote severe and bitter things 
against it. But as this whole matter will more properly come un- 
der review in another place, it is dismissed for the present. 

From the Conference Mi\ Lee was appointed to labour on the 
Salisbury circuit, in the western part of North Carolina. He was 
this year placed as first Preacher on the circuit, with Mr. Isaac 
Smith as his colleague. After a brief visit to his father's, to ar- 
range his business, he started for his circuit, which he reached on 
the 9th of June. On the 12th, he met his colleague at the town 
of Salisbury, where they had an appointment to preach ; and where, 
as he says, there was a " Society of truly affectionate Christians." 
It was near this place that he was encamped in 1780, when the 
tory was so summarily executed, according to the account given in 
a preceding page. During his visit to Salisbury he went out to 
the spot on which the army had spent four days. With what dif- 
ferent feelings must he have surveyed the scene, once so full of up- 
roar and revelry ; — how peaceful and quiet now ! And how 
changed his condition. A Soldier, not by constraint, but of a 
ready mind, contending not for corruptible things, but for an in- 
corruptible inheritance, — a Soldier of the Cross. 

" In entering upon the field of his labour, he met with great en- 
couragement ; first, inasmuch as he had an opportunity generally 
of meeting large congregations who appeared anxious to hear the 
word of eternal life. Secondly, the Lord graciously condescended 
to own the word preached, to the comfort of believers, and to the 
awakening of sinners. Thirdly, his own soul was frequently 
comforted and blessed, while striving to benefit others by his pub- 
lic labours."* These effects of his ministry, and the gracious 
dealings of God with his own soul, may be judged of by the fol- 
lowing extracts from his Journal. 



* Rev. M. Thrift. 



126 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



" Sunday, June 13th. I preached at Herri's to a large company 
of solemn hearers. While I was speaking of the love of God, I 
felt so much of that love in my own soul, that I burst into a flood 
of tears, and could speak no more for some time, but stood and 
wept. I then began again; but was so much overcome that I had 
to stop and weep several times before I finished my subject. There 
were very few dry eyes in the house. O my God ! what am I 
that thou art mindful of me? It was a cross to come to this cir- 
cuit, but now I feel assured that the Lord will be with me, and 
support me. 

" Thursday, 17th, I preached at C. Leadbetter's, on Amos iv. 
12, 'Prepare to meet thy God, O Israel!' I bless God for that 
meeting, my heart was greatly affected, and my eyes overflowed 
with tears. Towards the end of my discourse, the hearers were 
so much wrought upon that I was in hopes of seeing some of them 
converted before the close of the meeting. 

" Sunday, 20th, I preached at Cole's, but the congregation was 
so large that the house would not hold them, of course we had to 
look for another place ; we got under the shade of some trees, 
where I spoke with great freedom, and with a heart drawn out in 
love for the souls of the people ; and I felt a longing desire to 
bring them to God. When I met the class, the friends wept great- 
ly, while they heard each other tell of the goodness of God to their 
souls. The comfort I felt in serving God that day would make 
amends for the sufferings of a thousand troubles, — ' Let the people 
praise thee, O God ! Let all the people praise thee.' 

" Wednesday, 23d, I preached at what is called Jersey Meeting- 
House ; we had a good meeting, and I was happy in God while I 
was speaking. When I had finished, Colonel G.'s wife came to 
me and began to cry, and said, ' I am the worst creature in the 
world ; my heart is so hard I don't know what to do,' and begged 
me to pray for her. I hope she is not far from the kingdom of 
God. 

"Tuesday, August 10th. I preached at Tillman's, and felt an 
ardent desire to be of some service to the souls of the people, 
There was a gracious move among the hearers, and before I got 
through my discourse, I wept over my audience for some time ; 
none but God knows what I felt at the time ; my heart was ready 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



127 



to break with grief on the account of poor sinners, who were per- 
ishing in their sins. In many cases it appeared as if I could 
preach till I dropped dead in the pulpit, if it would be the means of 
bringing souls to the knowledge of God. My heart cries out„ 
1 O Lord ! revive thy work, in the midst of the years.' 

" Monday, October 4th. I preached at Costus', where, after ser- 
mon, we held a love-feast, and were greatly blessed together ; all 
eyes were bathed in tears. An old man present, who was seeking 
the Lord, but had never been converted, rose up and spoke in a 
most melting manner, and with tears streaming from his eyes, 
observed : ' I am almost ready to depart this life, and am not pre- 
pared to die, and you may judge how I feel.' Blessed be God, it 
was a day of comfort to my soul : the language of my heart was, 
O, my God ! let me die, rather than grieve thy spirit, or wound 
thy cause, but may I be for God." 

Interspersed with the record of his labours in the ministry, and of 
his experience as a Christian, there are occasional notices that 
show how observant he was of what was passing around him. 
Yet everything was regarded as secondary to the great work of 
preaching the gospel. Religion is the true philosopher's stone. 
On one occasion he preached at the house of a man deaf and dumb 
from his birth, but who had acquired the power of pronouncing the 
name of his wife and of his brother, very distinctly. But " I could 
not learn," says Mr. Lee, " that he ever uttered any other word." 
And, he adds, " he is esteemed a pious man, and, by signs, 
will give a good experience of grace, both of his conviction, con- 
version, and of his progress in the service of the Lord ; and of the 
pleasing hope he has of heaven when he leaves this world." 

Some time in the summer he was called to visit a lady, Mrs. 
Parks, who was very ill, and quite unprepared to die. Terror- 
stricken under the apprehension of dying in her sins, she impor- 
tuned him to pray for her. He gave her such counsel as w T as meet 
under the circumstances, and offered prayer in her behalf. In the 
conversation that ensued, she confessed that she had been once 
before near death, and had promised God that if he would raise her up, 
she would serve him ; but as soon as she recovered she had become 
as careless as ever. And now she was standing upon the last ridge 
of life, still without God. Her hands and feet were cold. In thi» 



128 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



extremity of distress she warned her husband against putting oif 
repentance for a death -bed, and charged him to' bring up her chil- 
dren in the fear of the Lord, and to keep them from breaking the 
Sabbath. She then sent for one of her neighbours, to whom she 
said, " I wanted to see you ; I have thought there was some cold- 
ness between us, and I want to die in peace with all." This scene 
deeply affected Mr. Lee. He wept tears of pious sympathy ; and 
he knelt again in supplication at the throne of heavenly grace, and 
besought God to pardon her sins before she should be taken out of 
this world. After prayer she looked more lively, and from that 
time began to revive. Whether she gave the life, so mercifully 
spared in answer to prayer, a living sacrifice to God, we have now 
no means of ascertaining. But the case teaches a most impressive 
lesson, and one to which we do well to take heed. It is a 
sad and awful thing to die in sin ! And a death-bed is a poor place 
to commence a preparation for eternity. 

During the month of October his own life was put in imminent 
jeopardy while fording the Yadkin River. The ford was deep and 
the current strong; and, not being acquainted with the course of 
the path through the water, his horse became entangled among the 
pointed and slippery rocks concealed beneath the turbid stream. 
For awhile his horse was swimming, then plunging over the rocks, 
and the current each moment bearing him away from the proper 
track. To render his situation still more perilous, he was encum- 
bered with a heavy overcoat, and was carrying his saddlebags on 
his arm to keep them dry. Being but an indifferent swimmer, he 
felt considerable alarm, and cherished but little expectation of being 
delivered. But his work was not yet finished, and by the good 
providence of God, he escaped safe to land.* 

It was but a short time previous to this escape from impending 
danger, that he experienced a merciful deliverance from a calamity 

* At a later period of his life, Mr. Lee and several ministers were fording a 
river, somewhat swollen. Mr. Lee had on a new hat. A flaw of wind sud- 
denly drove his hat into the river, and the current rapidly bore it away. He 
checked his horse, and silently watched its course. On, on it went. Turning 
a rueful face to one of the brethren, he said : " It is written, ' All things work 
together for good to them that love God.' I 'm sure, I love God. But" — send- 
ing a longing look after his hat, he said — " how that is to work for my good 
I am at a loss to perceive." The hat was gone. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



129 



no less imminent, but of a different kind. His general health bad 
fallen off, and his affliction was- so severe that travelling became 
painful, and, to some extent, dangerous. On one occasion, while 
travelling in company with several friends, he was taken so vio- 
lently ill on the road, that some of the company despaired of his 
life. In all these afflictions, he held fast to his hope in Christ, and 
did not doubt but they were sent in mercy, and would all be sanc- 
tified to his present welfare and eternal salvation. Whom the 
Lcrd loveth, He chasteneth. 

On the 12th of December, Mr. Lee received an official notice, 
informing him that the Rev. Dr. Coke, accompanied by the Rev. 
Messrs. Whatcoat and Vasey, had arrived in America, delegated 
with authority from Mr. Wesley, to erect the Societies into an inde- 
pendent Ecclesiastical organization, under a form of government 
the outlines of which had been supplied by Mr. Wesley himself. 
This notification was received only thirteen days before the Con- 
ference was to assemble, and he was in delicate health, and five 
hundred miles from the place appointed for its session ; and, 
withal, it was at a period of the year that forbade the thought of 
attempting the journey. He very wisely, therefore, resolved to re- 
main on his circuit, and give himself to such employment for the 
good of souls as the state of his health and the season of the year 
would allow him to engage in. But the Conference to which he 
was called, was one so important in its objects ; so efficient in its 
plans for the furtherance of Methodism, and so full, comprehen- 
sive, and durable, in its principles and results, that any history of 
the times would be imperfect, without a detailed and accurate his- 
tory of its proceedings, as well as the causes leading to it, and the 
effects it produced upon the form and character of Methodism. 
Indeed, it forms a most important event in the religious history of 
the United States. Entertaining this opinion, no apology need be 
made for the space given to the subject. 

Methodism was introduced into America by a series of Provi- 
dential events. Emigration had dotted several places, isolated and 
remote from each other, with families of European Methodists. 
And when, in compliance with their urgent requests, Preachers 
were sent over from England as helpers of their faith, they had 
no other Ecclesiastical authority than to preach the gospel, and !o 
9 



130 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



unite believers into the bonds of spiritual fellowship. They were 
not ordained ; and, according to the Ecclesiastical regimen of their 
founder, they were not empowered to administer the Sacraments. 
They did not lay claim to the prerogatives and powers of a Church, 
but desired to be considered as religious Societies, acknowledging 
the authority and enjoying the communion of the Church of Eng- 
land. In this character, and avowing it as their sole object " to 
spread scriptural holiness over these lands," they laboured to re- 
kindle the waning fires of the Church, and multiply the number 
of those who should crowd her courts, and wait at her altars for 
the Sacraments of Christianity. But in this labour of love, they 
received no encouragement from the ministry, and but little sym- 
pathy from those who received and loved them as servants of the 
Most High God. Brought into the fold, and enjoying the fellowship 
of Christ, the people claimed the right to all the privileges secured to 
believers, according to the promise of the gospel. They and their 
children were unbaptized ; and they ardently desired to partake of 
the Holy Communion. But, if they were not refused in form, they 
were repelled by a conscientious repugnance created by the loose 
and immoral lives of the clergy. They feared to be partakers of 
other men's sins ; and yet the desire of the Ordinances was as a 
live coal upon their spirits. A few of the Preachers sympathized 
with them, and saw no good reason for chaining the living spirit 
of Methodism to the dead carcass of the Establishment. But the 
majority clung to it long after it had lost all signs of spirituality ; 
and they framed laws forbidding the administration of the Sacra- 
ments, or enforcing their reception from a class of men from whose 
hands the blessed elements would scarcely escape contamination. 
The desire that craved the Sacraments, and the feeling that spurned 
the impure clergy, were alike the workings of a deep and profound 
spiritualism of heart. The only real matter of surprise in the his- 
tory of these things is, that enlightened, strong-minded, and affec- 
tionate Methodist Preachers, should have so long refused the adop- 
tion of measures that conscience and revelation would have justified, 
to meet a demand that had its origin in the first love of the Christian 
heart. The transactions already described, at the Broken Back Church 
in 1779, were only the consummation of a long-suppressed anxiety 
goaded to despair by the clamours of conscience, and the with- 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



131 



drawal of hope. These just demands for the Sacraments had 
reached the ears of Mr. Wesley. But what could he do ? With 
very little confidence in the spiritual authority of the Bishops, he 
yet acknowledged a civil allegiance to them ; and one of them ex- 
ercised Ecclesiastical jurisdiction in America. And without a 
solitary scruple as to his own just and equal right, to ordain to the 
holy ministry, with that of the proudest dignitary that occupied a 
position on the bench of Bishops, he yet hesitated to meet what, to 
our apprehension, he ought to have regarded as a solemn scriptural 
demand. But Mr. Wesley was as conscientious as those who 
looked to him for counsel and assistance. But relief, in a form 
that would satisfy all, and set conscience at liberty, was at hand. 
The war that established the Independence of America, nullified 
the jurisdiction of the Bishop of London, and released Mr. Wesley 
from all the obligations of civil allegiance to him ; and he " violated 
no order, and invaded no man's right" by ordaining ministers for 
America. Heretofore, in accordance with the example of Mr. 
Wesley, the Methodists had maintained some kind of identity, — 
if that can be called identity which had no affinity in nature, and 
no unity in fact, — with the Church of England as it existed in this 
country. But the events that produced our national Independence, 
destroyed the power of the Church, and leaving it without civil 
support, and almost without sympathy, it fell prostrate and power- 
less, a mass of superannuation. Its parishes, heretofore, for the 
most part, without members, were now left almost entirely without 
ministers. The ante-revolutionary agreement between the Metho- 
dists and the Church of England was dissolved, and to preserve 
their own Ecclesiastical existence, as well as to provide for the now 
increasing multitudes that everywhere looked up to them for the 
bread of life, the Methodists were compelled to assert their Ecclesi- 
astical independence. They had the indisputable right to do this ; 
and there was no one possessed of authority to forbid it. The or- 
ganization of the Methodist Episcopal Church was not in any sense 
of the word schismatical, as there was no religious body for them 
to divide. It was not even a separation, as they were in unity 
with no Ecclesiastical body in the country. For whatever the na- 
ture of the ties that held them in attachment to the English Church, 
they certainly were not civil, and they did not possess any of the 



132 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



elements of an Ecclesiastical covenant or compact. The English 
Church exercised no control over their opinions or their movements ; 
and seemed, so far as its authority or spirit was embodied in, or 
represented by, the clergy , to claim no other connexion than the 
license to ridicule their pious feelings, or the liberty to denounce 
their rights and oppose their progress. And so far as the Metho- 
dists were concerned, they held their Conferences, made their ap- 
pointments, fulfilled their ministry, and multiplied their Societies, 
with the unrestrained freedom of men who knew no code of laws 
but the Bible, and only acknowledged allegiance to God. Indeed, 
when all the circumstances of the parties are considered and con- 
trasted, the connexion, whatever it was, for it had nothing visible 
or tangible in it, is an anomaly that is not only strange and inex- 
plicable, but for which, if regard for Mr. Wesley be taken out of 
the way, no satisfactory reason can be given. All this, however, 
as it shows their confiding acquiescence in the judgment of Mr. 
W esley, and their unambitious desires with respect to Ecclesiastical 
titles and prerogatives, is creditable to the Methodists. A better 
illustration of the unselfish nature of true religion, or a stronger 
proof of disinterested zeal for God and the souls of men, could not 
be given than is furnished by this period of Methodist history. 

The increasing success that annually crowned the efforts of the 
Methodists in America multiplied the applicants for the Sacraments, 
and lessened the reasons for withholding them. Mr. Wesley, to 
whom they all looked for direction and relief, had long and patiently 
weighed the circumstances of the case, and was now prepared to 
provide for these " poor sheep in the wilderness." In February, 
ITS4, he communicated to Dr. Coke his designs respecting the 
Societies in America, and unfolded a plan for their more perfect 
Ecclesiastical organization. And in the following autumn, having 
invested the Doctor with full powers for the purpose of carrying his 
measures into operation, he despatched him, in company with the 
Rev. Messrs. Whatcoat and Vasey, to America. These ministers 
arrived in the city of Xew York, on the 3d of November ; and on 
the 14th, the two first named met with Mr. Asbury at Barrett's 
Chapel, in the state of Delaware. Here, Mr. Asbury was first in- 
formed of the object for which they had been sent into the country 
by Mr. Weslev, and he was greatly perplexed by the news they 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



133 



communicated, as well as at a loss how to act with regard to so 
much of the plan as concerned himself. " The design of organizing 
the Methodists into an Independent Episcopal Church was opened 
to the Preachers present,* and after due consultation, it was agreed 
upon, as the best mode of proceeding in the matter, to_call a.jGfitn= - 
ference of all the Preachers in the connection, to meet in Baltimore 
on Christmas-day, for the purpose of considering the subject. f 
There were, at the time, about ninety Preachers attached to the 
Conferences in the United States. How many of these attended 
the Conference in Baltimore is not certainly known. Dr. Coke 
says, there were " near sixty." But at the time appointed for its 
session, the Conference was formally opened ; and after due and 
prayerful consideration, " it was unanimously agreed that circum- 
stances made it expedient for them to become a separate body, 
under the denomination of the Methodist Episcopal Church.":}: In 
doing this they said they " followed the counsel of Mr. John Wes- 
ley, who recommended the Episcopal mode of Church government." 

The form of government adopted by the Conference was not only j 
declared to be Episcopal, but the meaning affixed to that term by \ 
Jthe body was also define d. In the Minutes of that Conference pub- 
lished in 1785, the following record is found on the first page : 

" Ques. 3. As the Ecclesiastical as well as civil affairs of these 
United States have passed through a very considerable change by 
the Revolution, what plan of Church government shall we hereafter 
pursue ? 

u Ans. We will form ourselves into an Episcopal Church unde? 
the direction of Superintendents, Elders, Deacons, and Helpers,jacr 
cording to the forms of ordination annexed to our liturgy, § and the 
form of Discipline set forth in these Minutes." > . 

A revis ed f orm of this Discipline, published in 1787, enters more 
elaborately into the reasons for forming themselves into an Inde- 
pendent Church, and define s with a more cautious accuracy _the 
nature and powers of^e'''"EpTscopac\' that ente re d so _ essentially 

* About twelve had been drawn together by Mr. Asbury to meet Dr. Co&e. i 

t Asbury's Journal, vol. i. pp. 376-8. 

X Minutes of Conference for the year 1785. 

§ The Prayer Book of 1784, prepared by Mr. Wesley, and sent to "the Me- 
lodists in America," by Dr. Coke. This was their liturgy. 



134 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



into the composition of their Ecclesiastical organization.*' Of this 
edition of the Discipline, " Section III." contains a definition of 
" the Nature and Constitution of our Church," in these words : 

" We are thoroughly convinced, that the Church of England, to 
which we have been united, is deficient in several of the most im- 
portant parts of Christian discipline, and that (a few ministers and 
members excepted) it has lost the life and power of religion. We 
are not ignorant of the spirit and designs it has ever discovered in 
Europe, of rising to pre-eminence and worldly dignities by virtue of 
a National Establishment, and by the most servile devotion to the 
will of temporal governors ; and we fear, the same spirit will lead 
the same Church in these United States (tho' altered in its name) 
to similar designs and attempts, if the number and strength of its 
members will ever afford a probability of success, and particularly, 
to obtain a National Establishment, which we cordially abhor, as the 
great bane of truth and holiness, the greatest impediment in the 
world to the progress of vital Christianity. 

" For these reasons we have thought it our duty to form our- 
selves into an Independent Church. And as the most excellent 
mode of Church government, according to .our maturest judgment, 
is that of a moderate Episcopacy; and as we are ^persuaded that 
the uninterrupted succession of Bishops from tlie Apostles can be. 
proved neither from Scripture nor antiquity ; 'we therefore have 
constituted ourselves into an Episcopal Church, under the direction 
of Bishops, Elders, Deacons, and Preache rs, according to the 
forms of ordination annexed to our Prayer Book, and the regulations 
laid down in this form of Discipline." 

The reasons here given for the organization of the Church, are 
such as every serious reader must approve as sufficient and impe- 
rative. And the mode of government adopted is expressly declared 
to coincide wjth their " maturest judgment,' 5 both as to its excel- 
lency and its suitableness for the great work in which they were 
engaged. The experience of more than sixty years, during which 
the system has been tried, as by fire, confirms the judgment ex- 
pressed by our fathers, and indicates a more than human agency 
in guiding their judgment, and controlling their decisions in that 

* This is the first edition of the Discipline, in which the different subjects 
are arranged under appropriate heads* 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



135 



eventful Conference. In adopting the Episcopal mode of Church 
government, however, they disclaimed all those additions of pomp, 
dignity, and power, that an ignorant and superstitious age of the 
Church had annexed to the Episcopal office and prerogative. The 
Episcopacy of Methodism i s ^de r ived, dependent, and resn^s^ble. 
It claims no jure divino authority, to " lord it over God's heritage ;" 
nor was it invested with any attributes of Ecclesiastical indepen- 
d ence of law or juris diction. The action of the Conference , 

n I ft ^^jj " sHSi lr* cre f] I j ° | ^ ii h fii i nS\ C \ e ; snows tnat i£ * ne "const itution 
of our Church: ? " th e Conference is su perior in authority to the 
Episcoixicy. It forms no objection to this position that Mr. Wesley 
invested Dr. Coke with Episcopal prerogatives, and authorized him 
to confer the same upon Mr. Asbury. For over this arrangement 
the Conference held a negative, as is evident from t h vjh of q£ yftffoff 

^rsa^tham^a^,,g^T umito ^tophi! vw& So also 

Mr. Asbury regarded the matter^ as is clear from his resolution not 
to accept the office, unless the appointment of Mr. Wesley was first 
sancti^nadJiv the r .ConfereaGe .* i( The Episcopal office, therefor e^is 
derived fr ^n Jhemm^^b y election and consecration. Even then 
* ts authority ^iignBBBB Spt s d. ; i ^Q ^ j^ gjl', ^^ ' rie^ - and R is held Jo a a < 
st rict accountability by the body "conferring the power, to exercise 
its^f ^jagtipus . It was for these reason s it was denominated a mode- 
rate Epi^onacj^,,, S uch was the Episcopal office as constituted a t 
t he organization of the Chur ch in 1784 ; and, so. i^ J* 1 ! important 
res pects, it ^emainfiJa-tiie p resent time. The changes it may have 
undergone have consisted mainly in multiplying it s: du t ie s, without 
enlarging itsjww.-^ or lessenii^ Its true posi- I <Ej 

I tion in our Ecclesiastic^^ under author i ty^" 

but having the charge and oversight of others, as the chief execu- 

, — ~ij »»«. 'i , riii L. i m-uj ;.- ii iim »i »Piiim»'iWWIl— WW— 

tive officer o f the Church. But it has no power to make laws, or 
to ordain rites, ceremonies, and observances for the Church. All this 
was certainly implied in the terms of the agreement to form them- 
selves into an independent Church under the direction of a mode- 
rate Episcopacy. But, knowing the tendency of power to consoli- 
dation and enlargement, the Conference was careful not to leave 
the position of its chief Ecclesiastical officer to be determined, by 
implication, or to be guided in his functions by inference. Hence 



* Asbury' s Journal, vol. i. p. 376. 



136 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



th] 

2 



after defining that a " Bishop is to be constituted by the election of 
a majority of the Conference, and the laying on of hands of a Bishop, 
and the Elders present," it settles the nature and extent of the authority 
committed to his office. It is his duty " to preside as a Moderator 
in our Conferences ; to fix the appointments of the Preachers for 
the several circuits ; and in the intervals of Conference, to change, 
receive, or suspend Preachers, as necessity may require ; to travel 
through as many circuits as he can, and to^g^Ue all the 
usiness o£ih£. societies In the Conference the Bishop 
Moderator; without authority to negative any action of the body. As 
late as 1806, according to the Rev. W. Watters,f in case of an equal 
division in the Conference, he exercised the right of giving the cast- 
ing-vote. At a Conference held in Kent county, Delaware, April 28th, 
1779, after determining the point that Mr. Asbury " ought to act 
as General Assistant in America," the question was asked, " How 
far shall his power extend ? Ans. On hearing every preacher for 
and against what is in debate, the right of determi nation shall-rest 
with him. according to the Minutes."! This was an extraordinary 

* Discipline, ed. of 1787. p. 7. The author prefers to quote this edition of 
the Discipline, because it is on this subject an improvement on t hat of 1784 
both in form and substance. The whole discipline of 1784 is comprised in i 
form of Questions and Answers, and also retains the original titl e of " Sun erin 
tendent." Thus: " Ques. 26. What is theoffi^ ; of a Superin tendent ? Ans 
To ordain Superintendents, Elders, and Deacons ; to^^grjesidejis a Moderator in 
j o ur To n Fe r e n c e s ; toJbpbjtJI^iQ*^ for the several cir 

fc uits^ a nd in the interv als of the Conference, to change, receiv e , or suspen d 
, Preacher?, as necessity may require, and to receive qppea.ls Jrom^ the Preache rs 
and people, and decide them." ""^ik ^A*v ~"~ ^} 

person shall be ordained a Superintendent, Elder, or Deacon, 
without t he consent of a ma jority of t he^ Conferen ce a nd the con sent aucUmposi- 
: t ion of hands of a Superintende nt, except i n the instance provided for in the 
: 29thJ\Iinute." This exception is in case of the cessation of the office, "by 
■ death, expulsion, or other wise." 

" Ques. 27. To whom is the Superintendent amenable for his conduct ? Ans. 
To the Conference : who have power to expel him for improper conduct, if they 
see ir-aecesscry.'' In the answer to the 26th question above, the reader will 
perceive in the last sentence, which is put in italics, a marked differe nce ^in 

I term s, from the language of the same rule in the Discipline of 1787, as quoted 
in/the text. 
" t L ifeT p. 105. 

% According to the Minutes." At this period the " Larger Minutes," con- 
sisting of " Conversations between the Rev. Mr. Wesley and others ; from \he 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 137 

grant of power, justified, it may be, by the circumstances of the 
case, and containing a most positive declaration of the unbounded 
confidence of the Conference in the integrity of Mr. Asbury. Itl 
is a beautiful exhibition of the unselfish nature of the subject of 
this confidence, that he never gave them occasion to consider it 
misplaced. But, as we have seen, in the more complete and 
perfect organization of the Church all power was reduced to just 
limits, and brought within the control of regularly prescribed 
statutes. How long after the period at which Mr. Watters wrote, | 
the Bishops exercised the right of giving "the casting vote," we jP"""^ 
have not been able to ascertain; but it has long since ceased. In 
the Annual Conferences they preside as Moderators over their 
deliberations, without any right to vote, and with no other au- 
thority over them than to relict their proceedings to such matters V- 
as come within the prescribed statutes of the Discipline, They 
also, in right of their office, preside in the General Conference, but 
do not enter into its debates, and have no right to vote. Still, 
their opinions are often sought, and are justly received with great 
deference and respect.* 

But the ground assumed by the Conference of 1784, in forming 
themselves into " an Episcopal Church," extends further than the 
simple recognition of the Episcopal, as a most excellent mode of f * 
Church government; and they djd ^^ore^tlmn merely to cV g rteJEhe GH^-^k 
office^ and wi affix,..lim i ts to th e^ exercise | o f i ts, .p ower s. An exami- 
nation of our Ecclesiastical system will issue m the conviction that 
the principle of a tr ue Scrip ta^^ P e ^3f^L^££y 
department of our Church. ' From t^' ^^ StT'Conference f down 
to the least influential office known to the S3< T stem, everything is. 
constructed upon the great all-pervading principle of Superin- 
tena^se^ A spiritual oversight — watching over each other for 

year 1744" to the period in question, constituted the Ecclesiastical Discipline of 
Methodism. The resolution, therefore, restricting Mr. Asbury to such a deter- 
mination of questions as accorded with " the Minutes," was designed to hedge 
in the otherwise unlimited grant of power conferred by the resolution ; and to 
give legality only to such determinations as corresponded with the letter or 
spirit of the authorized regimen of the Societies. 

* l ate as 1808, the Bishops, as will hereafter be seen, offered resolution s 
in the General Conference, if they did not discuss them. 



138 THE LIFE AJfD TIMES OF 

good — is the spirit that preserves the integrity, and perpetuates the 
vitality of Methodism. A well known principle of English law 
acknowledges the king as supreme, and recognises him as present 
everywhere . The same principle holds good with regard to Me- 
thodism. The General Conference^ as the source of law and au- 
thority in the Church, is represented so entirely in every department 
of tHe Ecclesiastical government, that it may be almost said to be 
everyichcre. In the persons and powers of its^ representatives, the 
authority of the General Conference is felt in every ramification 
of official influence. The Bishop is the first and highest executive 
officer of t he Confejence^ In the absence of the Bishop, the 
Presiding Elder stands forth as his accredited representative ; and 
he in turn is represented by the Preacher in charge, who transmits 
to the Class-Leader the authority to supply his place in carrying 
out the designs of the organization in spreading scriptural holiness 
in the earth. Thus from the fountain of power there is a regular 
transmission of official authority to the very extremities of the 
system. The circulation is regular, uniform, and invariable. 
And the ease and freedom with which everything moves in its 
appointed sphere, and the efficiency of the whole in producing a 
most perfect developement of organized Christianity, and in pro- 
moting its one glorious design of bringing souls to God, is a 
matter that creates the grateful admiration of its friends, no less 
strongly than it excites the surprise and dislike of its foes.*)* It is 
not pretended that the organization of the Church was in nothing 
defective, or in everything perfect. Error and mistake attaches 

■ " But while he superintends the whole work, he cannot interfere with the. 
particular charge of any of the Preachers in their Stations. To see that the ' 
Preachers fill their places with propriety, and to understand the state of every 
station or circuit, that he may the better make the appointments of the Preach- 
ers. i = . no doubt, no small part of his duty; but he has nothing to do with re- 
ceiving, censuring, or excluding members: this belongs wholly to the Stationed 
i Treacher" "and members." Rev. W. Watters, Life, p. 105. The exception 
/ here made, by Mr. TVatters, to the Episcopal prerogative is, no doubt, as sound 
/ and correct in its application to the authority of a Presiding Elder. 

t For a more extended treatise on the nature of our Ecclesiastical government, 
the reader will do well to consult " Notes to the Discipline," by Dr. Coke and 
Bishop Asbury, now happily brought within the reach of the general reader, by 
the admirable work of Mr. Emory, entitled " History of the Discipline of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church." . . , *. /* / 

* jw* mt f ~ 1* sue*-- 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



139 



.o everything human. But it is certainly no meagre proof of the 
wisdom of our fathers, that the principles of the government 
adopted by them still constitute the groundwork of the compact 
and extended superstructure of Methodism ; and the measures 
then adopted are still efficient in action, and available for all the 
ends of their institution. Their work was honourable, and its i 
results have been glorious. A numerous, enlightened, and en- 1 
larging posterity, respect their judgments and approve of their 
doings. 

But the organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church, com- 
plete as it was in itself, and beneficial and wide-spread as have 
been its effects, has other aspects and connexions than those of 
mere denominational concern. In assuming independent Ecclesi- 
astical rights, they severed all the relations that, previous to the 
Revolution, had united them to the Church of England as it exist- 
ed in America ; and they dissolved all connexion with the clergy 
and laity who still adhered to a foreign spiritual jurisdiction. Nor 
is this all. The renunciation of the unscriptural and erroneous 
doctrine of Apostolical Succession, as they did in their declaration 
" Of the nature and constitution of the Church," brought down 
upon them a strain of ridicule and denunciation that, with a won- 
derful fecundity of character and consistency, has preserved its 
identity of language and spirit to the preseat times. Whatever 
their confidence in the goodness of their, cause, both with regard 
to its lawfulness, and its conformity to the word of God, it was 
certainly trusting too much to the charity and justice of imsancti- 
fied humanity to anticipate the approbation of any one, who, upon 
any ground whatever, might take the liberty of opposing it. Ac- 
cordingly, it was not long before, upon the occasion of presenting 
the congratulatory address of the Church to General Washington, 
the press opened its mouth and demanded to know, " How came 
Dr. Coke to be a Bishop 1 Who consecrated him ?"* Thus 
evincing a temper of uncharitableness that, running through a 
multitude of writers, must, have found its consummation of unkind 
ness and injustice when Dr. Hawks attributed the Episcopacy of 
Methodism to the ambition of Coke and the dotage of Wesley !"f 



* Emory's " Defence of our Fathers," p. 83, ed. 1827. 
t Protestant Episcopal Church in Virginia, pp. 170-171. 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



Various as have been the grounds upon which Protestant Episco- 
pal writers have decried the organization of the Church, they must 
have the credit of consistency and uniformity with regard to the 
spirit in which they have ridiculed its ministry as spurious, and its 
Sacraments as invalid and unsanctifying. And while there is very 
little reason for doubting that a large measure of this opposition is 
traceable to the success of Methodism, and the proof thereby fur- 
nished of its efficiency in promoting the great design of the gospel in 
winning souls to Christ, it will not be denied that a sincere love of 
truth, checked, however, and controlled by prejudice and an imper- 
fect view of the Christian system, has actuated others. 

Among the grounds of hostility to the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, the first, and for a long period the one most zealously in- 
sisted upon, belongs to a class of theological subjects that the na- 
ture of the present work precludes from a very extended conside- 
ration. The opinion referred to is that which denies Mr. Wesley's 
right to confer ministerial authority by ordination ; and the contro- 
versy involves the whole question of the origination of ministerial 
rights : whether they are conferred by ordination ; or are derived 
directly and personally from Christ. The nature of our present 
undertaking, and the limits we have assigned for its completion, 
will not allow us to traverse this extended field, much less can we 
explore its parts and turn up from its depths the facts and argu- 
ments that demonstrate the scripturalness of our ministry, the va- 
idity of our Sacraments, and consequently the lawfulness of Mr. 
Wesley's proceedings in the premises. That these proceedings 
were scriptural, few familiar with them, and who are careful to 
study the grounds on which they rest for authority, will hesitate to 
oelieve. But this subject falls so entirely within the limits of an- 
other province of theological investigation, that, after referring the 
-eader to works on the nature and constitution of the Christian 
ministry, and to those comprehended in the controversy on the 
dogma of Apostolical Succession, we must dismiss it from our 
pages. 

There is one other ground of opposition to the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, which has occasioned much invective, and is still 
lhe theme of untutored misrepresentation and frothy declamation, 
ft respects the intention of Mr. Wesley, in the ordination of Dr. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



141 



Coke and his co-operation in the organization of the Church. It 
is gravely denied that he had any intention to confer Ecclesiastical 
powers in the one case, or any participation whatever in the pro- 
ceedings of the other. As this is strictly within the plan we have 
laid down for ourselves, it will not be out of place to enter into a 
somewhat detailed examination of the matter. 

Dr. Chapman, with what seems a customary disregard of facts, 
and certainly betrays great and inexcusable ignorance of the sub- 
ject on which he was engaged in writing, declares that the cere- 
mony enacted in Bristol, on the 2d of September, 1784, was not 
an ordination, but only the b lessing of a good man bestowed upon 
his fellow-labourer about to enter upon a distant and perilous 
work.* After quoting the language of the instrument sent by Mr. 
Wesley to the Societies in America, by Dr. Coke, and as a testi- 
monial of his consecration to the Episcopal office, Dr. Chapman, 
in contradiction of the fact stated in the document he was quoting, 
proceeds to say : 

" But if, by this imposition of hands, anything more was in- 
tended than the blessing of a good old man upon his fellow- 
labourer in the ministry, or if the word Superintendent was de- 
signed to be used synonymous with Bishop ; then are we called 
upon to believe the strange anomaly, that one presbyter, as Mr. 
Wesley styles himself in the instrument, can advance another to 
a higher order in the priesthood than himself possessed," &c. 
Again: 

"But the truth is, no such power was claimed, and no such pro- 
motion was intended. Soon after the ceremony had been per- 
formed, Dr. Coke left England, and, arriving in America, forthwith 
laid his hands upon Mr. Asbury, who was to be united with him 
in the proposed superintendence. For some time, they contented 
themselves with their original title ; but, at length, sensible of its 
ambiguous character, they concluded upon a change, and an- 
nounced themselves to the public, in an address to the Father of 
his Country, as ' Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church.' " 

" With what propriety, let the benevolent founder of the sect 

* Sermons upon the Ministry, Worship, and Doctrines of the Protestant Epis- 
copal Church, by G. T. Chapman, pp. 112, 113-116. 



142 THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 

himself attest." He then quotes Wesley's letter to Asbury, againsl 
being colled Bishop, and asks : 

-And now, brethren, after the recital of language alike per- 
spicuous and emphatic, I ask you if it can be seriously believed 
that its reverend author ever imagined himself authorized, or that 
he ever designed, to consecrate any man to the Episcopal office 
and dignity?- It is impossible; or, if it be possible, it is at least 
equally rational to believe that black is white, and white black." 

Once more : speaking a second time of the letter to Bishop 
Asbury, he says : 

" It explains what was before equivocal in the transaction of 
Bristol." It "is not language to be used by the supposed ordainer 
of him who ordained Asbury. It rather indicates grief and indig- 
nation, that his clerical blessing upon Coke, his probable imitation 
of the incident recorded in the thirteenth chapter of Acts, which 
was not ordination to the ministry, should have been so grossly 
misconceived." 

Whatever may be our views of the position and opinions avowed 
in these extracts from Dr. Chapman, there is no ground or possi- 
bility of misapprehending his meaning. This is distinctly an- 
nounced, especially in the sentences we have italicised. He denies 
that the setting apart of Dr. Coke, in Bristol, September 1784, was 
an ordination, either in the act itself, or in the intention of Mr. 
Wesley in performing the act. The right of Mr. Wesley to con- 
secrate to the Episcopal office, which he also raises, is a distinct 
question, belonging to another department of theology, that, for rea- 
sons heretofore given, we waive the consideration of, without, how- 
ever, yielding aught upon the subject. The other, is a question of 
fact, lying at the foundation of our Ecclesiastical organization, that 
we may not omit to consider. To say these declarations originated 
in ignorance, would be a charitable apology for their author ; but, 
in affirming, as he does on page 116, that he was possessed of the 
documents in the case, he exempts himself from all the offices of 
charity, and demands judgment unmixed with mercy in the adjudi- 
cation of the subject. Again : The question here raised by Dr. 
Chapman is not whether the Episcopacy established by Mr. Wesley 
was " authorized and genuine," in the opinions he, and other Pro- 
testant Episcopal writers, entertain of the Episcopal office ; but 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 243 

whether itjw as so in th e judgment o f On the J 

page, and in the connexion just referred to, he denies in the most 
positive terms, that the Episcopacy of Methodism " was considered 
by its founder and first Superintendent, to be authorized and 
genuine." And he seeks to strengthen his denial by the declara- 
tion, " All these documents" bearing upon the transaction, " I have 
in my possession." Here, then, we join issue with Dr. Chapman, 
and all who, following his unfortunate example, have so strangely 
misconceived, or grossly perverted " these documents." We need 
not, for the disproof of these vaunting declarations, go beyond the 
documents themselves. The testimonial of the consecration of Dr. 
Coke to the Episcopal office, is sufficient for all our purposes, 
although we may refer to other documents and facts : 

" To all to whom these presents shall come, John Wesley, late 
Fellow of Lincoln College, in Oxford, Presbyter of the Church of 
England, sendeth greeting : 

" Whereas, many of the people in the Southern provinces of 
North America, who desire to continue under my care, and still 
adhere to the doctrine and discipline of the Church of England, are 
greatly distressed for want of ministers to administer the sacra- 
ments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, according to the usage 
of the same Church ; and whereas, there does not appear to be any 
other way of supplying them with ministers : 

"Know all men, that I, John Wesley, think myself to be provi- 
dentially called at this time, to set apart some persons for the work 
of the ministry in America. And, therefore, under the protection 
of Almighty God, and with a single eye to his glory, I have this 
day set apart as a Superintendent, by the imposition of my hands, 
and prayer (being assisted by other ordained ministers), Thomas 
Coke, Doctor of Civil Law, a Presbyter of the Church of England, 
a man whom I judge to be well qualified for that great work. 
And I do hereby recommend him to all whom it may concern, as 
a fit person to preside over the flock of Christ. In testimony 
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this second day of 
September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven, hundred 
and eighty-four. 

« JOHN WESLEY." 



144 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



In the circular letter of Mr. Wesley, dated rt Bristol, Sept. 10th. 
1784," addressed " To Dr. Coke, Mr. Asbury, and our Brethren 
in North America," and brought by Dr. Coke " to be printed and 
circulated," he says : 

" I have accordingly appointed Dr. Coke and Me. Francis 
Asbury, to be join: Superintendents over our Brethren in Xorth 
America. As also Richard Whatcoat and Thomas Vasey to 
act as Elders among them, by baptizing and .administering the 
Lord's Supper." 

Messrs. Whatcoat and Vasey are the persons referred to in the 
testimonial of Dr. Coke's consecration as those who, on the same 
occasion, were " set apart for the work of the ministry in Ameri- 
ca," — specifically " to administer the sacraments of Baptism and 
the Lord's Supper." Previously to this act of setting apart, they 
were unordained Lay-Preachers. And since, according " to the 
doctrine and discipline of the Church of England," to both of which 
Mr. Wesley and the Societies in America desired still to adhere, it 
was uncanonical for an unordained man to administer these Sacra- 
ments, it follows that whatever may have been his design with re- 
spect to Dr. Coke, it was his intention to confer on these gentle- 
men both the right and authority to administer the sacraments of 
Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Their ordination, although on the 
same day, preceded that of Dr. Coke. Speaking of these transac- 
tions, Mr. Moore* says : " The Doctor and Mr. Creighton (a Pres- 
byter of the Church of England,) accordingly met him — Mr. Wes- 
ley — in Bristol ; when, with their assistance, he ordained^ Mr. R. 
Whatcoat and Mr. T. Vasey Presbyters for America." Here, then, 
is clearly one case of ordination, performed by Mr. Wesley, on the 
same day, in the same room, and with only a brief interval of time 
between it and that of Dr. Coke, from which in nature and intention 
it differs in every essential particular. It is a somewhat singular 
specimen of accuracy that Dr. Chapman, with "all these docu- 
ments" before him, never even so much as alludes to this feature 
of a transaction on which he has declaimed with so large a measure 
of veneration for truth and righteousness ! But let us see how the 
transaction, as it concerns Dr. Coke, quadrates with the statements 
and denials of Dr. Chapman. 



* Life of Wesley, vol. ii. p. 273. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 145 

Dr. Coke was already a Presbyter of the Church of England, and 
possessed equally with Mr. Wesley the right to administer the Sa- 
craments. There was nothing, therefore, in the transaction having 
any reference to the Sacraments, at least so far as Dr. Coke was a 
subject of it. The instrument declares he was set apart by the im- 
position of hands and prayer, as a Superintendent ; and also re- 
commends him as a fit person to preside over the flock of Christ. 
This act of ordination was not to confer authority to administer the 
Sacraments ; nor was it a mere act of " blessing of a good old 
man." But it was, in the belief and intention of the chief actor in 
the scene, an act for conferring "fuller powers" than those of a 
Presbyter, to advance to a higher office in the ministry ; in a word, 
Mr. Wesley thus became " the ordainer of him who ordained As- 
bury," and he ordained Coke for this very purpose, over and above 
every other object of the consecration, that he might have authority 
to ordain others. Short of this, the ceremony, with its accompany- 
ing facts, would be without signification. Mr. Wesley, therefore, 
not only " imagined," but really and honestly believed " himself 
authorized ',"• and did truly "design to consecrate" Dr. Coke "to 
the Episcopal office and dignity." But the truth of this view of the 
subject is placed upon the strongest ground of certainty by the fact 
that Mr. Wesley prepared, and placed in the hands of Dr. Coke, 
for the use of himself and his successors in the Episcopate, forms 
of ordination for all the grades, recognised by the transactions in 
Bristol, and in exact conformity with the Church of England, of the 
ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In the Prayer Book, 
the preface of which bears the date of "Sept. 9, 1784," for "the 
Methodists in North America," prepared by Mr. Wesley, and sent 
by Dr. Coke, there are forms of ordination for Deacons, Elders, 
and Superintendents. These are very slightly altered from the 
Prayer Book of the English Church. But if "the ordainer of him 
who ordained Asbury" did not intend both to ordain himself, and 
to authorize Dr. Coke to ordain also, why this alteration of the 
English forms, and especially on those points on which he avows a 
difference, as in the substitution of Elder for Priest, and Superin- 
tendent for Bishop ? In view of his strange and positive denial of 
all ordinations, in fact and intention, how can Dr. Chapman ac- 
count for the retention of forms of ordination in the Prayer Book. 
10 



146 



THE LIFE 



AND 



TIMES OF 



of 1784? Upon his hypothesis the whole subject is inexplicable. 
But not only in contradiction of all documents, but in contravention 
of all personal rights, he affects to know more of Dr. Coke's busi- 
ness in America than the Doctor himself, and complains that on 
" arriving in America he forthwith laid his hands on Mr. Asbury !" 
This whole matter is put at rest by the annexed extract of a letter 
written by Dr. Coke to Mr. Wesley in August 1784, six months* 
after Mr. Wesley's proposition to invest him with Episcopal powers 
for the organization of the American Societies into an independent 
Episcopal Church. '.' The more maturely I consider the subject," 
says the Doctor, " the more expedient it appears to me, that the 
power of ordaining others should be received by me from you, by 
the imposition of your hands ; and that you should lay hands 
on Brother Whatcoat and Brother Vasey, for the following reasons : 
1. It seems to me the most scriptural way, and most agreeable to 
the practice of the primitive Churches. 2. I may want all the in- 
fluence in America which you can throw into my scale. . . . 
But as the journey is long, and you cannot spare me often, and it 
is well to provide against all events, and an authority, formally 
received from you, will (I am conscious of it) be fully admitted 
by the people ; and my exercising the office of ordination without 
that formal authority may be disputed, if there be any opposition 
on any other account ; I could therefore earnestly wish you would 
exercise that power, in this instance, which, I have not the shadow 
of a doubt, but God hath invested you with for the good of the 
Connexion. 3. In respect to my Brethren (Whatcoat and Vasey) 
it is very uncertain whether any of the clergy will stir a step with 
me in the work, . . and propriety and universal practice make it 
expedient that I should have two Presbyters with me in the work. 
In short, it appears to me that everything should be prepared, and 
everthing proper be done that can possibly be done this side the 
water" 

In the face of " these documents," was it not the extreme of 
rashness for Dr. Chapman to charge a " gross misconception" of 
the intentions of Mr. Wesley upon Dr. Coke 1 A writer who so 
strangely misapprehends, or so grossly perverts, " documents in 

* Mr. Wesley's interview with Dr. Coke, in which this proposition was made, 
was in February 1784. Drew's Life of Coke, p. 63. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



147 



his possession," and which he boasts of having studied, can have 
very little respect for the intelligence of his readers, and very 
little regard for his own reputation. 

' ' The bold impostor 
Looks not more silly when the cheat's found out." 

There is one other class of facts, bearing directly upon the 
general question raised by Dr. Chapman and other opponents of 
Methodism, collateral in their nature, and yet so conclusive, that 
we should do injustice to the subject not to introduce them, how- 
ever briefly, into the discussion. We refer chiefly to the spirited 
letters between Messrs. John and Charles Wesley, in August and 
September of 1785, concerning the ordination of Dr. Coke and 
the organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church.* In one of 
these letters, Charles Wesley affirms that the establishment of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, in Baltimore, was done with the aid, 
encouragement, and authority of John. Speaking directly of its 
organization, he says : " Have you not made yourself the author 
of all his (Dr. Coke's) actions? I need not remind you that 'he 
who does anything by means of another, does it himself.' " To 
all the complaints respecting the points at issue, John affirms his 
belief — " I firmly believe I am a scriptural Erttojeortoj, as much as 
any man in England or Europe," and therefore possessed as valid 
a right to ordain. And of the organization of the Church in 
America, and of the ambition ascribed to Dr. Coke, he declares, 
" I believe Dr. Coke is as free from ambition as from covetousness. 
He has done nothing rashly, that 1 know. He is now such a right 
hand to me as Thomas Walsh was. If you will not or cannot 
help me yourself, do not hinder those that can and will." Mr. 
Wesley knew he had ordained Mr. Asbury to the Episcopal office, 
and that, with the concurrence of the American General Confer- 
ence, he had erected the Societies into a Church, under an Episco- 
pal form of government. All this Mr. Wesley knew, and he 
knew it was all comprised in the complaint of his brother ; and 
yet he denies that the Doctor had done anything rashly. Thus 
maintaining that his agent, Dr. Coke, had not transcended the 



Life of Rev. C. Wesley, pp. 724-733. 



148 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



limits of the authority committed to him, and vindicating him from 
the hasty censures of his brother. Indeed, how else could John 
Wesley have acted, without compromising the integrity of his life? 
It was his own proposition to send Dr. Coke to America ; it was 
his plan of Church government the Doctor had carried into effec- 
tive operation ; it was he who had appointed Mr. Asbury Superin- 
tendent ; in one word, he was the prime mover in the whole affair, 
and he was most solemnly bound to shield and defend his " right- 
hand man" from all the attacks his obedience and faithfulness sub- 
jected him to : and, though briefly, he did effectually defend him. 
More he could not say, without increasing the already great and 
unnatural exasperation of Charles ; and he could not say less, 
without injustice to Dr. Coke. But what he did say, amounts to 
a positive assumption of the responsibility of the whole affair. Dr. 
Coke had obeyed him, and he approved, commended, and main- 
tained him in it. 

Such is a brief histoiy and defence of the organization of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. More might be said if our limits did 
not forbid it ; but we conceive enough is herein presented to furnish 
a sincere inquirer with the means of arriving at truth. This is all 
we aimed to accomplish. But the event itself, in spite of the multi- 
tude of efforts to misrepresent its character, and defame those who 
participated in it, is one that enters too deeply into the histoiy and 
fortunes of our country, to be overlooked by either the patriot or the 
theologian. From the centre we have been considering, Methodism 
has spread out on every hand, keeping pace with the progress of 
population, giving tone to its general character, and conveying the 
blessings of grace and salvation to multitudes of souls who else had 
lived in iniquity, and died without hope. Successful despite of op- 
position ; weak in worldly resources, but strong in the might and 
majesty of its doctrinal purity, and seeking only to do good in the 
earth, it need not fear if in the future, as in the past, it can say : 
" The Lord of Hosts is with us : the God of Jacob is our rehVe.'' 

Circumstances already referred to, determined Mr. Lee to remain 
on his circuit, and devote himself to the great work of saving souls. 
On the first day of the year he entered into serious self-examina- 
tion. The past was a mingled scene of sadness and joy. The 
present was filled up with humble confidence in God, and noble 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



149 



and strong resolutions to give himself more entirely to the work of 
the ministry. The future — the whole area, from horizon to zenith — 
from the hour on which he stood to the latest moment and remo- 
test point of life's pilgrimage, was to be the field of varied, well 
plied, and persevering efforts to do good. He was full of desire, 
and fixed in his purpose, to win souls to Christ, His heart gave 
its sanction to this plan of action, and conscience was the attesting 
witness of the transaction. In his own mind he had peace, the 
peace of God, that passeth all understanding ; and memory returned 
from the retrospect of past life, laden with the consolations that 
cheerful and active piety had spread in its path. The toils and 
privations of the past only served to impel him forward in the race 
of faith ; for these trials were not unaccompanied with the gracious 
fruits of the gospel of peace. God's blessing was on his soul, and 
success had crowned his labours. And although he was somewhat 
feeble in health, from protracted labour and frequent exposure, yet 
the very fact, of a probable abatement of his ministry, stimulated 
him to greater diligence to make full proof of it. If life was short, 
souls were precious, and duty was urgent. It was his duty to 
work ; God would provide him with a resting-place. With these feel- 
ings he entered upon his work for the year 1785. 

In the latter part of January, he had the pleasure of meeting with 
Bishop Asbury, who was passing through his circuit, on a tour 
into South Carolina. This was their first meeting after the organi- 
zation of the Church. Mr. Lee attended an appointment of the 
Bishop's at Col. Hendren's, in Wilkes county. To his very great | 
surprise, and no little mortification, just before the commencement, 
of the service, Bishop Asbury cj^mej^^Jns_j^^ canoni- 
cals, gowi ^cas sock, and band . Mr. Lee thought it evinced a de- ; 
parture from the plainness and simplicity of dress so common 
among the Methodists, and the sight was painful to him. He feared 
the effects of these appendages upon the people in bringing the min- 
istry into disrepute, especially since the people had learned to asso- 
ciate the gown with a ministry corrupt concerning the faith, of 
loose morals and dissolute lives. The Prayer Book which Mr. 
Wesley had prepared, and sent to America by Dr. Coke, was also 
brought into use. But their reign was short. God mercifully 
■preserved His people from such incentives to formalism. In a few 



150 THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 

years they were entirely laid aside, and our solemn and spiritual 
worship, in its subduing and transforming effects, furnishes constant 
evidence of having found a more excellent way. But the dislike 
of Mr. Lee extended not to the Bishop ; it stopped at the gown and 
its appendages. Mr. Asbury, whose duties had been greatly mul- 
tiplied by his elevation to the Episcopal office, was accompanied by 
the Rev. Henry Willis, who had been ordained Elder at the recent 
Conference, as an Assistant. He also requested Mr. Lee to travel 
with him during his trip to the South. The journey thus under- 
taken was to produce results upon the future history of Mr. Lee, 
and upon the enlargement of Methodism, that no one could have 
anticipated at its commencement. In passing through Cheraw, 
^they were kindly entertained by a merchant, in whose employment 
jthere was a clerk, a native of Massachusetts. This young man 
f gave Mr. Lee a somewhat detailed account of the social customs 
and religious condition of his native state. The conversation made 
a deep and lasting impression upon his mind. It was followed by a 
desire, that soon settled down into a conviction of duty, to go and 
preach to them the unsearchable riches of Christ. It was no sen- 
timentalism, no desire of fame, that fixed itself in the mind of Mr. 
Lee. He opened his mind on the subject to the Bishop, and ex- 
pressed his ardent wish to be sent into that distant, and, to him, 
desirable field of labour. But the Bishop did not perceive the propriety 
of such an attempt under the present circumstances of the Church. 
He did not, however, oppose the undertaking, but only postponed 
the matter to a more suitable occasion. But the impression was 
perhaps never wholly effaced from the mind of Mr. Lee, until he 
entered into those fields to scatter broadcast the good seed of the 
kingdom of God. In the mean time, he strove to reproduce the 
impressions made on his mind, by transfusing his own sense of 
its importance into the minds of his brethren in the ministry, and 
thereby engage them to unite with him in that great work of sacri- 
fice and love. 

Continuing their journey, they reached Georgetown on the 23d 
of February. The next night Bishop Asbury preached to a large 
congregation of serious and attentive hearers. Just as they were 
about to start to the place of worship, the gentlemen at whose 
house they wele staying excused himself from accompanying them. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



151 



" as it was his turn to superintend a ball that night." This occur- 
rence seems greatly to have disconcerted Mr. Lee. Indeed it 
appears, from the language of his Journal, that he had some mis- 
givings as to the propriety of partaking of the hospitalities of one 
whose regard for religion must have been very questionable. He 
" had been praying earnestly that if the Lord had sent them to that 
place, he would open the heart and house of some other person to 
receive them." His prayer was not in vain : for " after meeting, 
Mr. Wayne," a nephew of the celebrated General Wayne, " invited 
them to call upon him, and from that time his house became a home 
for the" ministers. With this gentleman they took breakfast the 
following morning, and on resuming their journey, he accompanied 
them to the ferry, and very generously paid for their passage 
across the river. It was the courtesy of this gentleman, in giving 
a letter of introduction to Mr. Willis, who had preceded the party 
to Charleston, that secured for them a cordial reception in that city. 
What effect this visit may have had in promoting religion in 
Georgetown, it is impossible to state. Georgetown, as an appoint- 
ment, appears in the Minutes for 1785, but is afterwards left out 
until the year 1790, although it may have stood as a regular place for 
preaching on some of the circuits formed subsequently to 1785. 
When it appears again on the Minutes, in 1791, it is as a circuit, with 
two ministers, and forty-three white, and eleven coloured members. 

On Saturday, the 26th, they reached Charleston, and were con- 
ducted by Mr. Willis, who met them some distance from the city, 
to the residence of Mr. Wells, a respectable merchant, to whom the 
letter of Mr. Wayne had made them and their mission known. 
Here, on the next day, in an old house, once, but no longer oc- 
cupied by the Baptists, they commenced laying the foundation on 
which the present Methodist Church in Charleston so firmly stands. 
Notice had been published in the newspaper of the city, that the 
Methodists would preach, on the holy Sabbath, morning and after- 
noon, in the old house. But notwithstanding, a few only came to 
unite in the worship, and listen to the words of life. Mr. Lee 
preached the first sermon on this occasion. The text was Isa. 
liii. 5, 6. He had only about twenty hearers who attended to the 
whole discourse, but there were many who came in and looked on 
awhile, and then went off quietly. He preached again at night 



152 THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 

but on what subject we are not informed. In the afternoon Mr. 
Willis occupied the pulpit. Mr. Asbury took no part in these ser- 
vices during the day. He seems to have given the day to close 
observation of the religious condition of Charleston, having attended 
the Episcopal church in the morning, and the Independent in the 
afternoon. He then entered upon his own work, and commencing 
on Wednesday evening, spent seven days in preaching to congre- 
gations, sometimes large and generally solemn and attentive. Of 
his first sermon here, Mr. Lee says : "I preached with some 
faith and liberty, and the people appeared to be quite amazed." 
And of the second, Mr. Asbury says, " the people were a little 
moved" while listening to it. One good present result followed 
the labours of these messengers of Christ, — a thousand have since 
sprung up in its train. Mr. Wells, who had so kindly opened his 
house for the accommodation of Mr. Asbury and his companions, 
was brought to a sense of his condition as a sinner, and was led to 
forsake the evil of his ways, and to turn to the Lord with a heart 
unto righteousness. Before Mr. Asbury left the city he had re- 
ceived remission of sins, and was rejoicing in hope of the glory 
of God. This may be regarded as the first effort made to establish 
Methodism in Charleston. In 1736 the Rev. Messrs. John and 
Charles Wesley had preached in the city, but this was before form 
and consistency had been given to the Methodist Societies, and they 
were known rather as ministers of the Church then established by 
law, than as the founders of a Church more pure in its forms, com- 
pact in its structure, and efficient in its organization, than the one 
to which they were attached. And in 1773, Mr. Pillmore had 
visited and preached in the place. But it is not known that, except 
in the records of the journey, it left any real impression behind. 
But now the work was begun in earnest. Men were there who to 
faithful preaching added fervent prayer, and who not only planted 
and watered, but waited and watched till they saw first the blade, 
then the corn, then the full corn in the ear. Rich and joyous has 
been the harvest of that gracious seed-time, Mr. Willis was left 
in Charleston, as its first stationed minister, by Mr. Asbury, and 
by his diligent labours a Society was soon formed which has been 
increased and strengthened to the present day. 

After having spent nearly a month in company with Mr. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



153 



Asbury, Mr. Lee left him in Charleston, and returned to his 
circuit. The Conference year was drawing to a close ; and what 
remained of it was devoted to winding up the business of the 
circuit, preparatory to his departure, and taking leave of the 
affectionate people of his charge. During his last round, he took 
occasion to impress upon the minds of the people the importance 
of a devout and prayerful remembrance of the things they had 
heard. His subjects were well adapted to this end, and show the 
deep anxiety of his heart to promote their spiritual interests. At 
Salisbury, April the 9th, while he was preaching, a female was 
brought into the liberty of • God's children ; and many of the 
people had cause to bless God for the comfort experienced during 
that day. In the evening of the same day he preached at Hick- 
man's, from Eph. v. 1 : " Be ye therefore followers of God as 
dear children ;" and it was as the bread of life to the souls of 
those who were waiting upon God. On Sunday, at Hearn's, from 
2 Pet. iii. 18: "But grow in grace; 1 ' — he taught them the way 
of compliance with the injunction of the text. The brief outline 
of his discourse on these words will show the nature of his 
instructions, as well as their adaptedness to one great end of the 
ministry — the perfecting of the saints — the edifying of the body 
of Christ. According to the plan, he denned, I. The different 
degrees of grace to which a Christian might hope to attain. 
II. The hinderances to a growth in grace. III. The helps to a 
growth in grace. And IV. Lay down some marks by which we 
may know whether we grow in grace or not. Such a subject, in 
such hands, could scarcely fail to produce a good effect. It is not 
surprising, therefore, to find the record in his Journal. " I had 
liberty in speaking to-day, and the hearers were much affected." 
After the public service was over, he held a love-feast, which was 
blessed to the godly edifying of all. 

Monday, the 11th, he was at Leadbetter's. Here he had a less 
congenial duty, than that of preaching Christ, to attend to. The 
Society at this place had been for some months agitated by a 
dispute, which seems to have created party spirit — that bane of 
godliness — among the members. As the year was so nearly gone, 
and Conference was just at hand, Mr. Lee, as some have since 
done, might have left this disagreeable business to his successor. 



154 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



But such an evasion of duty did not comport with his views of 
ministerial responsibility. And as the preservation of a good 
conscience was one of the great aims of life, he could not shrink 
from any office that the peace of the Church, and the salvation of 
souls, required at his hands. Nor could he be unaware of the 
fact that a minister, entering upon a new field of labour, a 
stranger, and ignorant of many things respecting the people of 
his charge, has enough to perplex and embarrass him, without 
having to enter at once upon the settlement of cases of discipline 
of long standing, and, perhaps, of intricate character. A more 
excellent way is for every minister to adjust all such matters of 
discipline as may arise under his own administration, and leave 
his successors a clear field and a quiet Church wherein to begin 
their toils. But if it is gratifying to find such views of duty 
actuating Mr. Lee, it will be no Jess agreeable to witness his 
manner of proceeding in the case referred to. After stating the 
object immediately before them, and, as is not improbable, pointing 
out the serious injury arising from such disputes to the Church of 
the living God, he called them all to prayer. He then briefly 
exhorted them to love and unity, and called on some of the 
brethren to engage again in prayer for God's blessing on the 
meeting. This done, he called on the parties concerned in the 
dispute to speak all that was in their hearts. The preceding 
religious exercises had so wrought upon the disputants, that they 
were ready to forget and forgive, and to drop the whole matter, at 
once and for ever. But this did not suit Mr. Lee's notions as the 
better way. He was fearful the evil spirit was only quieted, not 
expelled from the heart ; and he wished each to speak and make 
a clean breast of it, and then for ever thereafter to hold their peace 
upon the subject. It was some time — so strong and all-pervading 
was the spirit of reconciling love — before each could open his 
mind. In the midst of tears each condemned himself, made the 
reparation he before had demanded, and craved the forgiveness 
previously refused to be given. And they promised that they 
would live in a peace and unity with each other so entire and 
abiding, that the shadow of the cloud that had filled the Church 
with gloom should never again rest upon the blessed sunlight of 
their love one for another. It was with considerable reluctance he 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



15a 



had entered upon the duty of reconciling this difference ; but 
how must he have rejoiced at its successful termination ! The 
blessedness of the peace-maker pervaded his breast, and added a 
higher relish to the well-spring of comfort that gushed up daily 
from the quiet depths of his heart. 

Two days after the meeting just described, Mr. Lee preached his 
last sermon on the circuit, to a weeping congregation. The peo- 
ple, in devotion to whose spiritual welfare he had spent the year, 
were strongly attached to him ; and gave him up with many tears. 
There was good reason for all the evidences we find of a sincere 
and mutual affection. They had found him a vigilant and faithful 
pastor — a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly divid- 
ing the word of truth, and giving to every one his portion in due 
season ; and he had received from them every proof of confidence 
in his ministerial character, and of regard for his personal comfort. 
And besides all this, his ministry had not been without some mea- 
sure of success among them. Some had been brought under the 
power of the gospel during the year ; and the Church was edified, 
and, walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the 
Holy Ghost, was multiplied. But what number of members had 
been added to the circuit cannot be ascertained. The Minutes for 
the Conference of January 1785 contain no report of the numbers 
on the different circuits and stations. The gross number of Church 
members is put down at 18,000, and by a comparison with the 
aggregate of the preceding year, 14,988, we learn that there was 
a nett gain during the year of 3012. But no such comparison 
can be instituted between any particular circuits. In 1783, Salis- 
bury circuit reported only thirty members in society ; but at the 
Conference of 1784, under the faithful labours of Beverly Allen, 
James Foster, and James Hinton, the number had been increased 
to three hundred and seventy-jive. And when Mr. Lee left it, it 
was in a state that held out a fine promise to his successors as a 
field of useful labour and quiet enjoyment. 

The period comprehended in the preceding narrative was a most 
important one in the religious history of the United States. Metho- 
dism had been greatly enlarged ; and an entire change had been 
wrought in its outward form. Henceforth it was to stand on high- 
er ground, under a more compact and systematic discipline, and a 



156 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



more efficient organization. The law-making department was re- 
cognised as residing in a General Conference of the Preachers,* 
although no specific provision was made on the subject. The 
work was divided into Conference districts, independent of each 
other, but under the same Episcopal supervision, and subject to 
the authority of the General Conference. But a few years subse- 
quent to this, the inconvenience attending the general assembling of 
the Preachers was attempted to be remedied by the appointment of 
a General Council, consisting of the Bishop and Presiding Elders, 
and endowed with almost plenary powers. This, however, was 
found not to work well ; indeed, it involved the elements of its own 
destruction, and they fell back upon the original plan of a Gene- 
ral Conference. 

Another important benefit accruing to the Church from its orga- 
nization was the privilege of the sacraments of Baptism and the 
Lord's Supper. At the General Conference twelve of the oldest 
Preachers were elected to the office of Elder, and three were elect- 
ed Deacons, the most of whom were ordained at the time. These 
entered forthwith upon the duty of supplying the Societies with the 
means of grace they had so long and so ardently desired ; and 
great good was the immediate result. The practice of baptizing 
the people, and administering to them the blessed memorials of re- 
deeming love, formed a new era in the history of American Metho- 
dism. The reader of Mr. Asbury's Journal will not fail to dis- 
cover, in what he records on the subject, the eagerness with which 
the people sought the sacrament of Baptism for their children ; and 
his own pleasure at being empowered to bring them into covenant 
relations with God. 

It is not improbable but the anxiety of the Conference to extend 
these means of grace to all the Societies under their jurisdiction, 
originated what was subsequently incorporated into the constitution 
of the Church as an integral element. It is certain the office of 
Presiding Elder, as it now exists, was not created at the General 
Conference of 1784, although the Minutes of 1785 contain the 
names of Elders, who seem to be placed in charge of certain dis- 

*" Notes to the Discipline," by Dr. Coke and Bishop Asbury. Article— 
General and Yearly Conferences." 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



157 



tricts of country. But the object of this arrangement was unques- 
tionably to bring the Sacraments within the reach of the people.* 

Nor ought it to be omitted, as a great positive advantage to the 
temporal and spiritual interests of Methodism, that the Conference 
gave to the Methodists a form of Discipline^ describing the duties 
and protecting the rights of those who gave in their adhesion to 
the Ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Church. This form of Disci- 
pline embraces all the essential elements of Methodist law, as now 
recognised. And under the general question, u What can be done 
to guard against Antinomianism V it presents a very just and com- 
prehensive summary of the doctrine of justification by faith, and 
of the necessity of good works as the fruit and proof of faith. 

It is not surprising, after the preceding account of the organiza- 
tion of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to learn that the proceed- 
ings of the Conference gave entire satisfaction to the Methodists.^ 
It enlarged the confidence and veneration of the people in their 
ministers, as they now stood the accredited messengers of God, 
clothed with power to fulfil all the functions of the sacred office. 
The desire of the Sacraments, that had so long agitated the Socie- 
ties, was met and satisfied. The ministers were united to each 
other in stronger bonds and a holier fellowship. The people were 
quiet, contented, and prayerful. And the blessing of God, " like 
the precious ointment" upon the beard of the prophet, filled each 
heart with peace, and made every field of Methodism rejoice and 
blossom as the rose. 

* " When Mr. Wesley drew up a plan of government for our Church in 
America, he desired that no more Elders should be ordained in the first instance 
than were absolutely necessary, and that the work on the continent should be 
divided between them, in respect to the duties of the office. The General Con- 
ference accordingly elected twelve Elders for the above purposes. Bishop As- 
bury and the District Conferences afterward found this order of men so neces- 
sary, that they agreed to enlarge the number, and give them t he name b y which 
they are at present (1796) called." Notes on the Discipline, by Bishops Coke 
and Asbury. This extract establishes the two positions in the text, that these 
Elders were ordained, and received their appointments with especial reference 
to the administration of the Sacraments. It was a subsequent act of legislation 
that gave them "ecclesiastical authority and jurisdiction. 

t Hist. Methodists, p. 107. Life of Watters, p. 102. 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OP 



CHAPTER V. 

FROM THE ORGANIZATION OF THB CHURCH IN 1784, TO THE 
INTRODUCTION OF METHODISM INTO NEW ENGLAND IN 
1789. 

The Ministry — First Conference in North Carolina — Beverly Allen — Slavery — 
General Review of Church Action -upon the Subject — Dr. Coke — Collision 
between the Doctor and Mr. Lee — Historical Facts — Virginia Conference- 
Effects of Anti- Slavery Agitation — Mr. Lee visits and takes an Appointment 
in the Baltimore Conference — Journal — Efforts to promote Religion — Con- 
ference — Declines Ordination — Kent Circuit — Journal — A blessed Revival — 
Conference of 1787 — Slavery — Spiritual Emancipation — Note — Dr. Coke, hia 
Position denned — Recession from the Engagement to submit to Mr. Wesley 
— Appointed to Baltimore — A Word in Season — State of Religion in the City 
— Systematic Labours — Class- Meetings — Instruction of Children — Preaches 
on the Commons — In the Market-House — Good Results — Great Revival in 
Virginia — Mr. Lee's Success in Baltimore — Conference in Philadelphia — Dr. 
Rush — Appointed to Flanders Circuit — Calvinism — Anecdote — Revival — 
Singular Conversion. 

The ministry of Methodism is a ministry of toil. This has been 
one of its chief characteristics from the beginning ; and it is applied 
not so much to the extent of its fields and the number of its appoint- 
ments, as to its faithfulness in cultivating " ImmanuePs Land." It 
is regarded as a maxim in agriculture, that a small farm well cul- 
tivated is more productive than a large one scantily supplied with 
labour and tillage. The principle will apply to ministerial work. 
A large circuit, partially attended to, will yield but little increase in 
those things that constitute the true riches and prosperity of the 
Church of God. And a small one, well cultivated and constantly 
cared for, does not always satisfy the expectations of the labourer. 
It is " God that giveth the increase." But, perhaps, the size or 
character of a circuit has less to do with success in building up the 
Church of Christ, than the faithfulness and industry of the minister. 
An early entrance upon the duties of a circuit, a diligent attention 
to all its demands, and a late continuance at the work, if they do 
not guaranty success, will certainly furnish very good evidence 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



159 



of a sincere desire to make full proof of the ministry. And cer- 
tainly a fruitful ministry cannot properly be looked for in con- 
nexion with a careless and inefficient attention to its demands. 
In the preceding chapter we have seen with what diligence Mr. 
Lee attended to the various duties of his circuit, and the reflex 
influence of his faithfulness upon his own spiritual affections. He 
closed his labours on the Salisbury circuit on the 13th of April, 
and on the next day started to Conference. 

Th e Confere nce, for th e southern i division— o f -thejwor k for the 
year, was held at the residence of the Rev. Green Hill, in North 
Carolina. This was the first Conference held in the state. It 
commenced on Wednesday, the 2 0th of April, 1785 , and closed 
on. the following Friday. About twenty preachers were present, 
and their business was despatched in harmony and peace. Me- 
thodism was still prosperous in all their borders. The ministers 
had been successful, and had come up from their different fields of 
labour with tidings of success, bringing their own cheerful and 
happy hearts a contribution to the quiet and harmony of the Con- 
ference. In summing up the actual additions to the ranks of 
Methodism, it was found that nine hundred and ninety-one persons 
had given in their adhesion to its principles ; and their talents and 
influence to the promotion of its success in saving souls. Of these, 
according to Dr. Coke, one hundred and ten were in South Caro- 
lina, and had been brought into the Church chiefly through the 
instrumentality of a Local Preacher, who had recently settled in 
the state. The labours of the ministry had also extended into Geor- 
gia, and the whole state appears, on the plan of appointments, as a 
circuit, with a solitary minister to superintend its spiritual con- 
cerns ! 

At this Conference, Beverly Allen, who had been elected Elder 
at the Conference in Baltimore, was ordained, first a Deacon, after- 
ward an Elder. This was probably the first ordination ever per- 
formed in the North Carolina Conference. He was appointed to 
the arduous work of introducing Methodism into Georgia ; and at 
the Conference of 1786, he returned a membership of seventy-eight 
whites. The subsequent history of Mr. Allen is full of mournful 
interest. He was a popular preacher, and possessed capabilities of 
great usefulness. But, after occupying a post of so much trust and 



160 



THE LIFE AND TIMES GP 



responsibility, and gathering around him the endearments and obli- 
gations of domestic life, he fell into sin, and, it is probable, termi* 
nated by an infamous death, a life whose morning was all over- 
charged with the brilliant hues of promise and hope. The last 
account we have been able to discover of Mr. Allen, he was the 
tenant of a prison, charged with the murder of a fellow-creature. 
Here history leaves him — a melancholy end of a career so well 
and so usefully commenced. 

The only apparent interruption of the harmony of the Confer- 
ence, was occasioned by the introduction of the subject of slavery. 
It was brought forward in the regular business of Conference, and 
strongly urged by Dr. Coke ; and his views were mildly, but with 
firmness, opposed by Mr. Lee. It is not improbable but this was 
the first instance of hostility he had encountered ; and he not only 
.debated with vehemence the point of dispute, but urged the opinions 
of Mr. Lee concerning slavery as an objection to the passage of 
his character. J Dr. Coke was conscientiously opposed to slavery. 
With a zeal more to be respected in its motives than in its disre- 
gard of circumstances, and its undistinguishing censures, he had 
preached against slavery from the time of his first entrance into 
America. Yet, with an honest independence of character, he did 
not hesitate to declare his impatient abhorrence of the system, in 
the presence of those most concerned in upholding it, and in the 
face of the muttered execrations of its friends.* We admire his 
manliness in the avowal of his opinions, but we regret the impru- 
dent zeal that led him, upon a questionable^ matter, to pursue a 
course that had the effect of building an impassable barrier in the 
path of the higher and holier duties of his calling. The course 
Dr. Coke deemed it proper to pursue, in denouncing slaveholding, 
is the more surprising, since, from every indication of the times, 
the Church was undergoing a transition from a vehement denun- 

* In his Journal, under date of April 8, 1785, in North Carolina, he says : 
" The testimony I bore in this place against slaveholding, provoked many of 
the unawakened to retire out of the barn, and to combine together to flog me 
as soon as I came out. A high-headed lady also went out, and cried out, as I 
was afterwards informed, that she would give fifty pounds if they would give 
that little doctor one hundred lashes. When I came out, they surrounded me, 
but had power only to talk." In another place he says : "A mob came to meet 
me with staves and clubs " 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



161 



ciatory spirit to a more just and rational consideration of the sub- 
ject of slavery. The Church had already discovered what it is 
strange she did not at first perceive, that Ecclesiastical censures 
possessed no civil authority, and that sermons condemnatory of 
slavery were, in fact, the surrender of opportunities to win men 
from the slavery of sin to the freedom of faith in Christ. Then, 
as now, the employment of the pulpit to break the fetters of the 
slave, only strengthened their bonds and made them more oppres- 
sive and galling. For, although under the forcible and affecting 
appeals of the pulpit, a few — comparatively a very few — emanci- 
pated their slaves, yet no corresponding effect was produced upon 
society. And while it is doubted whether the few who were eman- 
cipated were really benefitted by the change, it is quite certain the 
so eagerly- sought object of immediate emancipation was materially 
injured, and the influence and success of Methodism was most 
".eriously abridged.* 

In the preceding chapter, there is a brief reference to the action 
of the Church on the subject of slavery. But a more detailed 
statement of the whole matter was promised, and is due to the 
memory of our fathers, and to a full understanding of the history 
of the times. And the connexion of Mr. Lee with the measures 
that led to the amelioration of the originally severe, and, in every 
respect, inefficient and impolitic enactments on the subject, makes 
such a detail necessary to a complete portraiture of his character. 

Whoever examines into the religious opinions of the early Me- 
fhodist ministers in America, will not be at a loss to discover a very 
strong and general hostility to the theory and practice of slave- 
holding. And when he recollects that the majority, and certainly 
the most influential, of these ministers were Englishmen, admirers 

* Of later times, and of the influence of the Abolitionists of the present day, 
the writer can speak with more confidence. It is unquestionable that these 
efforts have most seriously injured the cause of the slave in Virginia, and other 
states. Previous to 1831, the opinion that slavery was politically and socially 
an evil was very common. It was rare that an apology was attempted in its 
behalf. But the measures of Abolitionists at the North have lfi&Hifid us to 
search out reasons for its continuance, and arguments whereby we may justify 
and defend it. And it will require long years to recover the ground we have 
lost. Public opinion will not soon return to its views of the subject prior to the 
period above referred to. 
11 



162 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



and followers of Mr. Wesley, and subject to his authority ; and 
then adds the fact, that in 1774, Mr. Wesley wrote and published 
his " Thoughts upon Slavery," — he will need no additional evidence 
of the origin of this hostility ; nor, when the strong words in which 
those " Thoughts" are clothed, is taken into the account, will he be 
surprised at its almost obstinate and exciting character. But, 
although cherishing these feelings of opposition to slavery, jtjsas 
not until the Conference of |780 that any formal measures were 
taken to extirpate it from the Societies. This may be owing to the 
circumstance, that previous to 1776 they had made very little pro- 
gress in the Southern slaveholding states. An d, as the first ru le 
upon the subject had a specific application to the members of Con- 
ference, it may be that it was as late as 1780 before any Travelling 
Preacher became possessed of slaves; and hence the apparently 
late period of introducing it into the statute book of Methodism. 
But when it was recorded there, it was in language that might 
properly stand by the side of that which, as we have supposed, 
created, and gave energy a»d direction to their hostility. Still the 
rule was not absolute in its application to either the Preachers or 
the people. As it respects the Preachers, it stands as a matter con- 
cerning which the Conference was seeking to ascertain what was 
proper under the circumstances ; and with regard to the people it 
expressed a distinct avowal of their opinions on the nature of 
slavery, and passed a censure of disapprobation upon every 
" friend" of Methodism that held slaves, and advised them all to let 
meir slaves go free. But the law shall speak for itself. 

" Ques. 16. Ought not this Conference to require those Travelling 
Preachers w r ho hold slaves, to give promises to set them free ? 

"Ans. Yes. 

" Ques. 17. Does this Conference acknowledge that slave-keeping 
is contrary to the laws of God, man, and nature, and hurtful to so- 
ciety, contrary to the dictates of conscience and pure religion, and 
doing that which we would not others should do to us and ours? 
Do we pass our disapprobation on all our friends who keep slaves, 
and advise their freedom ? 

"Am. Yes."* 



* Minutes of Conference for the year 1780. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



163 



Such was the first official declaration of sentiments that had been 
accumulating for years ; and it fell upon the surprised and pious 
feelings of the Societies as a spell, paralyzing their energies, and 
foretokening oppressive and impending evils. For the measure was 
as well calculated to irritate as to enlighten ; and did as much in 
the way of creating disaffection as in correcting error.* And it 
stands in the Minutes for the same year, as if to furnish a com- 
mentary upon the difficult and delicate position of the Conference, 
as a statutory duty of " the Assistant, to meet the negroes himself, 
and appoint as helpers in his absence, proper ivhite persons, and 
not to suffer them to stay late and meet by themselves." A pro- 
vision so full of meaning as almost to demonstrate the unsoundness 
and impropriety of the previous enactment. 

The next enactment on the subject of slavery, stands in the 
Minutes for 1783, and has exclusive reference to Local Preachers. 
It is in these words : 

"Ques. 10. What shall be done with our Local Preachers who 
hold slaves, contrary to the laws which authorize their freedom, in 
any of the United States ? 

~ ""Ans. We will try them another year. In the mean time let 
every Assistant deal faithfully and plainly with every one, and re- 
port to the next Conference. It may then be necessary to suspend 
them." 

Specific as is this rule, in its application to a class, there is an 
observable, and, to our apprehension, a commendable deference to 
public opinion ; since it was restricted in its operation to those 
states in which, by Legislative action, an emancipated slave might 
enjoy freedom. And even here it was not to be considered abso- 
lute. Moral suasion was to be employed by the Assistant ; and the 
Conference reserved to itself the right of ultimate decision in the 
matter. 

In 1784, at the Conference held previous to the Christmas Con- 
ference, when the Church was organized, these Ecclesiastical pro- 
ceedings against slavery reached their zenith, in the adoption of 
measures that must have dismembered Methodism, or left it a 
blighted and withered thing in fields whereon it had gained its 
richest triumphs. Each class, concerning whom action had been 

* Lee's History of the Methodists, p. 72. 



164 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



previously taken, were now brought under the ban of the Confer 
ence ; and slaveholding was to be eradicated from the soil of 
Methodism, as dust is wiped from the face of a mirror — as summa- 
rily, and with as little remorse. At this Conference the following 
rules seem to have been adopted as the final decision in the case : 

" Ques. 12. What shall we do with our friends that will buy and 
sell slaves 1 

" Ans. If they buy with no other design than to hold them as 
slaves, and have been previously warned, they shall be turned out, 
and permitted to sell on no consideration. 

" Ques. 13. What shall we do with our Local Preachers who 
will not emancipate their slaves in those states where the laws 
admit it 1 

" Ans. Try those in Virginia another year, and suspend the 
Preachers in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. 

" Ques. 22. What shall be done with our Travelling Preachers 
that now are, or hereafter shall be possessed of negroes, and refuse 
to manumit them where the law permits ? 

" Ans. Employ them no more." 

These rules, so explicit and summary, only required a detail of 
the plan upon which, if submitted to, they might be carried into 
execution; and, if rejected, that the process of expulsion might 
consummate the resolution of their authors to sever slavery, 
slaveholders, and slaves, from all connexion, dependence, and com- 
munion with Methodism. And this plan, in its objects and details, 
was matured and incorporated in the Discipline of the Church at 
the General Conference held in Baltimore in December 1784. 
Omitting only so much of the proceedings of this Conference as is 
embraced in previous quotations from former enactments, we give 
the whole as it stands in the printed Minutes, " Composing a Form 
of Discipline for the Ministers, Preachers, and other members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church," put forth by the Christmas Con- 
ference.*' It is, perhaps, the more important to give this document 

* The full title is as follows : "Minutes of several Conversations between 
the Rev. Thomas Coke, LL.D., the Rev. Francis Asbury, and others, at a 
Conference, begun in Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, on Monday, the 
27th of December, in the year 1784. Composing a Form of Discipline for the 
Ministers, Preachers, and other Members of the Methodist Episcopal Church 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



166 



entire, since it is not to be found in any history of the Church that 
has fallen under the writer's notice. Mr. Lee, in his " History of 
the Methodists," only gives the " substance" of the enactment ; and 
Dr. Bangs, in his " History of the Methodist Episcopal Church," 
only copies the account given by Mr. Lee. It is presumable he 
had not seen the Minutes of that Conference. The rule on slavery 
occurs on the 15th page, in answer to the forty-second question. 

" Ques. 42. What methods can we take to extirpate slavery ? 

" Am. We are deeply conscious of the impropriety of making 
new terms of communion for a religious society already established, 
excepting on the most pressing occasion ;.and such we esteem the 
practice of holding our fellow-creatures in slavery. We view it as 
contrary to the golden law of God, on which hang all the law and 
the prophets, and the unalienable rights of mankind, as well as 
every principle of the Revolution, to hold in the deepest debasement, 
in a more abject slavery than is perhaps to be found in any part 
of the world except America, so many souls that are all capable of 
the image of God. 

" We, therefore, think it our most bounden duty to take imme- 
diately some effectual method to extirpate this abomination from 
among us. And for that purpose we add the following to the rules 
of our Society, viz : 

"1. Every member of our Society who has slaves in his posses- 
sion, shall, within twelve months after notice given to him by the 
Assistant (which notice the Assistants are required immediately 
and without any delay, to give in their respective circuits), legally 
execute and record an instrument, whereby he emancipates and 
sets free every slave in his possession who is between the ages of 
forty and forty-five, immediately, or at farthest when they arrive at 
the age of forty-five : 

" And every slave who is between the ages of twenty-five and 
forty, immediately, or at farthest at the expiration of five years 
from the date of the said instrument : 

in America. Philadelphia: Printed J^yjSharle s Cist, in Arc h Stree t, . the cor4 
n er of_ Fom^Il-Efrftei■, ^MDCCLXxxv . , ' This first edition of the Discipline was! 
published in the old form of question and answer . It has eighty-one questions. 
In 1787, it was divided into thirty-one sections, and published in a pamphlet of 
48 pages, including the Index. 



166 THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 

"And every slave who is between the ages of twenty and twen- 
ty-five, immediately, or at farthest when they arrive at the age of 
thirty : 

"And every slave under the age of twenty, as soon as they 
arrive at the age of twenty-five, at farthest : 

"And every infant born in slavery after the above-mentioned 
rules are complied with, immediately on its birth. 

" 2. Every Assistant shall keep a Journal, in which he shall re- 
gularly minute down the names and ages of all the slaves belong- 
ing to all the masters in his respective circuit, and also the date of 
every instrument executed and recorded for the manumission of 
the slaves, with the name of the court, book, and folio, in which 
the said instruments respectively shall have been recorded ; which 
Journal shall be handed down in each circuit to the succeeding 
Assistants. 

"3. In consideration that these rules form a new Term of Com- 
munion, every person concerned, who will not comply with them, 
shall have liberty quietly to withdraw himself from our Society 
within the twelve months succeeding the notice given as aforesaid. 
Otherwise, the Assistant shall exclude him in the Society. 

" 4. No person so voluntarily withdrawn, or so excluded, shall 
ever partake of the Supper of the Lord with the Methodists, till he 
complies with the above requisitions. 

" 5. No person holding slaves shall, in future, be admitted into 
Society or to the Lord's Supper, till he previously complies with 
these rules concerning slavery. 

" N. B. These rules are to affect the members of our Society no 
farther than as they are consistent with the laws of the states in 
which they reside. 

" And respecting our Brethren in Virginia that are concerned, 
and after due consideration of their peculiar circumstances, we 
allow them tico years from the notice given, to consider the expe- 
dience of compliance or non-compliance with these rules." 

It is not the least objectionable feature of this new Term of Com- 
munion, that it was greatly in advance of public opinion upon a 
subject not certainly recognised as settled by the Word of God ; 
but it was subjecting the people to a surveillance no less oppressive 
to them, than it was beyond the legitimate pi'ovince of ministerial 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



167 



employment. And in its principles, as is evident from the excep- 
tions at the close of the rules, it could not be general and impartial 
in its application. The exception, too, in favour of Virginia, shows 
that there were circumstances in existence that precluded its opera- 
tion. These facts demonstrate the impolicy of the attempt to 
legislate for the Church, upon a subject over which Ecclesiastical 
bodies can exercise no control; and they ought to have foreclosed the 
whole proceedings. But there was something in the slavery of the 
times so utterly surpassing its most oppressive evils now,* that their 
eager anxietyToFTts extinction, and their ineffectual efforts to pro- 
mote it, may be vindicated upon grounds sufficiently comprehen- 
sive to preserve the purity of their motives, and to justify the 
adoption of any measures that, in their judgment, promised its re- 
moval. And signal as was the failure to accomplish any general 
emancipation, there can be no doubt but their honest and perse- 
vering efforts in behalf of the slaves, produced a very decided 
change in their social and moral condition, and left the sweet savour 
of a humane and pious influence, to work out its blessed consum- 
mation upon the public mind. Yet, it cannot be concealed that to 
the full extent of their own benevolent aims, there was no corre- 
sponding general sympathy with the Conference. Many of the 
Methodists were decidedly opposed to every attempt at legislation 
upon the subject. And the public mind was at all times easily and 
strongly excited by any interference with the matter. This was 
especially the case in Virginia ; and hence, in consideration of 
" the peculiar circumstances" of the Societies in this state, the 

* The following fact, extracted from a tract on "Negro-Slavery," by the 
Rev. James O'Kelly, published in 1789, will illustrate this point. "I am 
more than astonished to hear those learned gentlemen, generally known by the 
appellation of Clergy, standing in the pulpit, and with lifted eyes praying, ' That 
it may please Thee to have mercy upon all prisoners and captives,' and the 
people answering, ' We beseech Thee to hear us, good Lord.' To which they 
have my Amen. In the evening, the Clerk stands at the door of the Lord' 's 
house of prayer, and with a loud voice proclaims, that such a gentleman 1 s captive 
is absconded and is now outlawed. Liberty is hereby given to any man to hill the 
said slave for such transgression, besides 51. reward.'''' If Mr. O'Kelly was not 
mistaken in regard to this practice, we can easily conceive of a justification of 
the course of our fathers. But we do not find ir^ any history of the times a cor- 
responding statement. It seems fanciful. > I ^ I 1 

H 



168 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



Conference, by special enactment, granted them two years' exemp- 
tion from the pains and penalties of this new Term of Communion. 

It was precisely in this condition of things, when the Assistants 
had, under the direction of Conference, given publicity to the rules, 
and, in effect, proclaimed a truce upon the subject in Virginia, that 
Dr. Coke entered, and passed through, preaching with his peculiar 
warmth and energy upon the necessity of immediate emancipation. 
That he met with very little sympathy, and still less success in 
these efforts, can excite no surprise in a mind familiar with the 
opinions and feelings of the times. It is not intended to convey the 
idea that no slaves were emancipated. Some indeed, were ; but 
his exhortations on the subject fell as inoperatively upon the con- 
gregations generally, as flattery upon " the dull cold ear of death;" 
except in so far as they excited the indignation of the ungodly, 
and succeeded in bringing the members of the Church under the 
suspicion of encouraging measures, which, to the public mind, were 
fraught with domestic injury and social ruin. It deserves, how- 
ever, to be stated, and it must be set down to the credit of Dr. Coke, 
that on entering the state of North Carolina, he abstained from all 
public introduction of the subject of emancipation — " the laws of 
this state," to use his own language, " forbidding any to free 
their negroes." This was a prudent submission to the sove- 
reignty of State authority over all within its jurisdiction, as well 
as to an important religious principle that was incorporated into the 
Discipline as an article of religious belief, and made obligatory 
upon every one to whom the authority and functions of the min- 
istry were intrusted. But when, in the course of Conference busi- 
ness, the subject of slavery, in connexion with the recent legisla- 
tion of the General Conference, was introduced, he could no longer 
hold his peace. He must bear his " testimony against slavery;" and 
that testimony had no soft and mincing words with which to garnish 
over a condition of things which he regarded as an intolerable, 
uncompounded evil. To what extent his views were received with 
favour by the Conference, cannot be determined. That many did 
not sympathize with him is quite probable ; and that one entertained 
opinions, and stood up with honest confidence to express them, in 
direct opposition to those he so long had cherished, and now 
sought so ardently to fasten upon the body to influence its decisions, 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



169 



and for the government of its future actions, is a matter of history 
already brought before the notice of the reader. 

Between Mr. Lee and Dr. Coke, there was, in many respects, 
a perfect contrast. The one was deliberate, calculating, and per- 
severing ; the other ardent, impulsive, and energetic. But both were 
honest, pious, and warm-hearted. On the subject of slavery, if they 
could have stood side by side, upon a point of observation remote 
from all its connexions and dependencies, and examined it as a 
theory of life, with its social relations, separated from all the cir- 
cumstances that have interwoven it into the very texture of the 
body politic, it is not improbable but they would have united to 
denounce and oppose it. But when brought into its presence, and 
compelled to estimate its character by facts ; to compare slavery in 
America and in their own times, with slavery everywhere, and in 
all ages of the world; to measure it not by the standards that 
prejudice and poetry have set up, but by those of reason and com- 
mon sense ; to weigh it, not as it may preponderate in the scale of 
religious sensibility, when an inflammatory appeal has thrown the 
whole moral nature into commotion, but when justice sits on the 
beam, and charity and truth adjust the balances, and then, in the 
midst of all its circumstances, cognizant of all its relations, and in 
view of all its effects, force them to decide the question of emanci- 
pation, and the one would be transformed into stone, the other to 
flame. To Dr. Coke, slavery had but one aspect : It was a doom 
to work, without compensation, other than necessary food and 
raiment, shelter and protection ; it was the doom of ignorance and 
degradation, where the sunlight of education never, and that of reli- 
gion seldom penetrated. In every respect it was, to his mind, an 
evil and bitter thing. And, in the estimation of Mr. Lee, it was not 
a whit better. But it was not the nature of slavery that caused the 
difference between these men of God. It was the question of eman*- 
cipation. They agreed as to the evil ; they differed as to the 
measure for its removal. Mr. Lee regarded the whole Ecclesias- 
tical proceedings in the premises as ill timed ; and without ques- 
tioning the pure intentions of those concerned in these measures for 
the extirpation of slavery, he nevertheless considered the whole as 
extrajudicial, and calculated to excite the strong prejudices of an 
interested and resisting community against those engaged in the 



170 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



crusade against slavery. And in the discussion of the subject in 
the Conference, he took the broad and sure ground, that all Ecclesias- 
; tical legislation upon the subject was inexpedient, and would prove 
unprofitable and injurious. He had grown up in the midst of 
slavery, and he was familiar with its political, social, and moral 
depravations, and he deplored them all. But he knew the opinions and 
feelings of those against whom these measures were directed, and he 
forewarned the Conference against stirring up the wrath and indig- 
nation of community by pressing rules demanding the Methodists 
to emancipate their slaves. There were two general grounds upon 
which he opposed the attempt to carry into practice the rules and 
provisions of the General Conference. The first was, that if the 
Preachers continued to press the subject of emancipation upon the 
people, that they, not now in favour of it, would be roused to resist the 
interference with their civil rights and interests, and that it would 
induce such general opposition as to prejudice the interests of the 
slave, and preclude any future attempts at emancipation, even under 
circumstances that might seem to be more promising. The second 
was drawn from the injurious effects these measures were already 
producing upon the religious interests of the people. The measures 
had already brought about strifes and debates, where, heretofore, 
all was concord. It had separated between brethren, alienated the 
ministers from each other, and the people from their pastors, and 
was rapidly spreading, like a plague-spot, through all the ramifica- 
tions of society. Under these circumstances, he thought the Church 
ought to pause in the course it had adopted, and hereafter to pursue 
a line of action less exciting, and more calm, deliberate, and con- 
ciliating. 

These were the honest sentiments of Mr. Lee ; and they were 
expressed with a fearless independence that then, as at every sub- 
sequent period of his life, desired no concealment, as it dreaded no 
opposition ; and, judging from the effect, they must have made a 
powerful impression upon the mind of Dr. Coke. But it was not 
a favourable one for the young minister. Either from the nature 
of the remarks, or the manner of expressing them, or all toge- 
ther, the Doctor conceived that Mr. Lee was opposed to the rules 
of the General Conference, for reasons that amounted to a justifi- 
cation of slavery ; and his opposition was construed into a defence 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



171 



of the lawfulness of slaveholding. And, as he could not conceive 
how any friend of religion could support a system so full of enor- 
mity, in his judgment, he urged it as an objection to the passage 
of Mr. Lee's character. To this allegation he promptly replied ; : 
and while engaged in vindicating himself from the injustice of the J 
accusation, he was interrupted by his opponent in a manner so 
imperious and rude, that his Virginia blood was sent bounding to J 
the extremities of his system ; and feelings were engendered, and 
words were uttered by both, that a Christian can truly regret, but 
may not defend. But, if Mr. Lee was ill at ease, the Doctor was 
not entirely at rest. He discovered that he had erred in the accusa- / •' 
tion and the interruption, and, with a frankness peculiar to himself/ I 
he apologized for his conduct, and peace and kindly feelings were ; 
soon restored. 

Subsequent events proved the correctness of the ground taken 
by Mr. Lee, on the subject of emancipation. The existence of the 
rules was short ; their influence, in strengthening the bonds of the 
slave, and in counteracting the influence of Methodism, especially 
in Virginia, was of longer duration. But, coincident with the 
scene just described, the opposition to the "new Term of Commu- 
nion" became so general and decided, that at the Conference held 
in Baltimore, in June 1785, just six months after it was adopted, the 
ministers were authorized " to suspend the execution of the Minute 
on Slavery, till the deliberation of a future Conference ; and that 
an equal space of time be allowed all our members for considera- 
tion, when the Minute shall be put in force. 1 ' Yet they still de- 
nounced the system in language of unabated hostility. Affixed to 
the Minute, suspending the operation of these rules, is the following 
declaration of their unalterable determination respecting slavery : 
" We do hold in the deepest abhorrence the practice of slavery, 
and shall not cease to seek its destruction by all wise and prudent 
means." In this avowal of their opinion concerning slavery, and 
in the resolution to seek its destruction, especially while confining 
themselves to such measures as coincided with the words they used, 
they were not transcending the just limits of ministerial action. 
And, considering the position occupied by this resolution in the 
history of these Ecclesiastical proceedings, it is equivalent to a 
declaration of the impolicy and imprudence of all previous enact- 



172 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



merits against slavery. Whoever carefully looks into these pro» 
ceedings, and compares the state of the Church during the excite- 
ment they produced, with what it was in previous years, and ir. 
the period immediately succeeding the suspension of the rules, and 
the cessation of active measures, will find no reason to doubt but 
wiser counsels, and stronger and better influences, were guiding 
the decisions of the Conference. It was a happy hour for the 
Church when, under the guidance of Him who is i; Head over all 
things to the Church," she paused in the midst of her course, and 
retraced her steps to the more peaceable and lawful pursuits of her 
heavenly calling. The mission of the ministry is for the redemp- 
tion of souls. In Christ, " there is neither bond no r free :" and in 
the work of the ministry, as authorized by Him, there is no recog- 
nition of any such distinction. All are one in Christ, and one to 
his servants. It were as wise and lawful to preach against female 
subjection to " the head of the woman," as to preach against the 
relation of master and slave. Efforts for emancipation in the one 
case, would be as lawful as they are in the other. If the evils of 
slavery form the ground of apology, or even of justification, for 
the crusade, are there not evils, if fewer in number, at least as 
commanding in magnitude, and as worthy of sympathy, in the 
subordinate relations of woman ? As a wife, in many civilized 
governments, she is as nearly destitute of civil existence as a 
slave. And, in most of the countries in which Christianity was 
planted by the Apostles, in what important respects did the condition 
of females differ from that of a slave in Virginia, in 17S5 ? And yet, 
in those very countries, slavery in its most frightful form was univer- 
sal. But, in neither case did the Apostles proscribe the superior, or 
attempt to abolish the relation. The very reverse of this was the 
course they chose to pursue. They recognised the existence of all 
such conditions, as a part of a universal system, developing, as it was 
originated and preserved by, the wisdom of God ; and they 
defined its separate relations, and prescribed its positive duties. 
Herein they followed the example of Christ; and the Christian 
ministry ought to " follow them as they followed Him." Xeither 
Christ nor the Apostles interfered with the relations existing 
between masters and slaves. These were regulated by civil legis- 
lation, — prescribing their rank and powers, their rights and duties. 



THE REV. 



JESSE LEE. 



173 



These laws were formed by authorities ordained of God ; and 
subjection to this authority was a Christian duty. The Apostles, 
therefore, did all that pertained to their ministry, when they 
recognised these different relations as equally binding, and mutu- 
ally dependent upon each other in the great system of Providence ; 
prescribed a class of duties appropriate to each, and promotive of 
the general good of the whole ; and, leaving religion in its 
humanizing and sanctifying influences to change, modify, and, 
finally, if so it be the will of God, to destroy all such distinctions, 
they busied themselves to bring both to a participation of the 
blessings of the gospel, that they might be one in the unity of a 
common salvation, and in the fellowship of a holy love. Beyond 
this point no Ecclesiastical body, desirous of confining itself to 
" wise and prudent means" for the emancipation of slavery, can 
go, without impairing its usefulness, or compromising the object it 
aims to promote. While labouring to bring both master and slave 
under the subduing and transforming power of the gospel of 
peace, the ministry is co-working with God, in the legitimate field 
of its commission. But when, upon any pretence, or for any 
cause, not explicitly defined in the Word of God as sinful, it enters 
into collision with civil institutions, attempts to break down long- 
established conditions of society, or interferes with legal rights and 
just authority, there can be little doubt but it has passed out of 
the sphere of its legitimate operations, and surrendered, a sacrifice 
to infatuation, that unction of holiness wherewith God had conse- 
crated it for the glory of His name, and the redemption of souls. 
It is due, however, to our fathers, to say that their measures were 
aimed at emancipation in the Church. It was reserved for our 
times to outrage the ministerial character by a presumptuous 
interference with civil institutions and state sovereignty. 

It would be improper, greatly as these remarks have been ex- 
tended, to pass from the consideration of the subject without intro- 
ducing a brief notice of the pervading characteristic of these Eccle- 
siastical proceedings. In conception, object, and action, they were 
in perfect contrast with the measures of modern Abolitionism. In 
the maturity of their principles and plans the doctrine of Abolition 
had no place. Their knowledge of slavery, for they were familiar 
with every type and colour of the evil, constrained them to exer- 



174 



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cise a caution that, otherwise, they would have thrown to the 
winds, in their anxiety to accomplish a cherished object. Their 
theory for the extirpation of slavery in America was that of gradual 
emancipation, not of immediate abolition. The modern word, as 
the modern idea, did not belong to their vocabulary. And the fact, 
that they had respect, in all their proceedings, to the legal obstacles 
in the way of emancipation, and consulted the civil relations of the 
Societies, by providing exceptions suited to the state of the case, 
shows as wide a difference between their measures and those now 
urged, as there is, also, in the latter a grievous departure from the 
dignity of their councils and the moderation of their spirit. Nor 
does the contrast terminate here. The fathers of American Metho- 
dism, firm as they were in their opposition to slavery, had no denun- 
ciations to utter against those who differed with them in opinion, or 
questioned the propriety of their proceedings. They were opposed 
to slavery, but they did not define it as an evil, and then denounce 
all connected with it as sinners. Hatred for the master was not 
the proof they furnished of love for the slave. Moral suasion was 
the force they employed, and truth and justice for the master were 
moral duties as imperatively demanded, and as cheerfully awarded, 
as sympathy for the slave and effort for his freedom. The erection 
of slaveholding into a disqualification for Church membership was 
the last resort of despair in the breast of good men who had wasted 
their energy and exhausted their ingenuity in the enterprise of 
emancipation. And its early abandonment is a proof at once of their 
humility, and of the surrender of the last vestige of hope to ac- 
complish the extirpation of slavery by any Ecclesiastical measures 
whatever. Slavery was too strong for Methodism in 1784, and it 
will foil it in 1848 ! But it will succumb to the power of the gospel 
of Christ. Its doom is written, but " the time is not yet." It will 
retire before the Christianity of the nineteenth century, as^tlje^ej^- 
drop that sparkles and dies in the morning blaze. 

As it is a part of our Ecclesiastical action on the subject of 
slavery, and as the subject may not be noticed at any great length 
in the succeeding pages of this work, it will not be amiss to close 
our present history of the matter by stating that, notwithstanding 
the suspension of the rules of the Christmas Conference, the Church 
was not entirely free from agitation for several years subsequent to 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



175 



1785. The agitation, however, seems to have been withdrawn 
from the pulpit ; and the press was employed, by those individuals 
not willing to retire entirely from the arena of strife, for the pur- 
pose of spreading doctrines that the Church had ceased to pro- 
mulge. Pamphlets, various in style and merit, were published and 
circulated to enlighten the public mind, and interest the pious heart 
in the importance of emancipation. Two of these are now lying 
before me. The one bears the running title of " An Essay on 
Negro Slavery. By James O'Kelly, Philadelphia, 1789." But 
it is bound up with another, bearing the same title, but signed 
" Othello," and dated, " Maryland, May 23, 1788." Another is 
entitled, "A Dialogue between Do-Justice and Professing Chris- 
tian. Dedicated to the respective and collective Abolition Societies, 
and to all other benevolent, humane philanthropists in America. 
By Freeborn Garrettson, Minister of the Gospel, Wilmington." It 
has no date, and no clue to the discovery of the time when it was 
issued. Others were doubtless published. There is also a reply, 
in MS., in our possession, to an unknown pamphlet, in the hand- 
writing of Mr. Lee, and signed, " Your Loving Antagonist." It is 
not necessary to enter into any statement of the line of argument 
advanced in these essays. Their designs were good, and their 
authors were alike honest and pure-minded. That they met with 
so little success is to be attributed to the state of the times, rather 
than to any want of zeal in the cause. They have long ceased 
from their works, and entered into rest ; and we may mingle our 
veneration for the robust and manly virtues of our fathers, with our 
prayers that a cause to which they gave so much of their faithful 
diligence, may, ere long, find its consummation in that greater 
freedom of soul wherewith Christ makes his people free. 

It is a matter that every one, who undertakes to examine the 
early periods of American Methodist history, will find sufficient 
reason to regret, that scarcely any other distinctions than those of 
time and place were regarded in the Conferences held previous to 
the year 1790. It was not until the year 1802, that the Confer- 
ences were entered on the Minutes in separate form, and then the 
whole work, extending from Canada to Georgia, was included in 
seven Conferences. In 1785 the general work was divided into 
separate districts under the supervision of Elders ; in 1797, the 



176 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



term Presiding Elder was introduced into the Minutes, and in 1801 
distinctive names were given to districts. In 1798, in reporting 
the numbers in society, the returns were given for each state, and 
in 1786 the custom of reporting in separate columns the " whites 
and blacks" was introduced. The want of Conference lines, espe- 
cially at the period we are now considering, makes it extremely 
difficult to ascertain, with any measure of certainty or satisfaction, 
the ministers belonging to a Conference, or the success that may 
have crowned their efforts in any given year. These, it is true, 
are not very important matters, but they preclude accuracy in as- 
certaining the relative growth of Methodism in a given district, and 
forestal every attempt to settle difficulties that continually arise in 
the path of the historian. The general inattention to such things 
on the part of those who planted Methodism in the fruitful soil of 
America furnishes a beautiful proof of their self-denying devoted- 
ness to God. They were toiling for the present salvation of dying 
men, and not building a monument to their own glory, or for the 
admiration of posterity. Duty, not honour, and present good, not 
future praise, was the great impulse that caused and guided their 
movements. 

Ten days after the close of the North Carolina Conference, that 
of Virginia commenced, at Conference Chapel, Brunswick county, 
Va., according to the Minutes of 1784; but at the house of Mr. 
William Mason, according to Coke, Asbury, and Lee. Here about 
twenty ministers assembled, and a part of the time they all ate and 
slept at the same house. Mr. Lee was present during the session. 
Within the Conference district about two hundred had been added 
to the Church, notwithstanding the agitation of the Societies on the 
subject of slavery. The excitement produced by the rules of the 
General Conference was reaching its crisis. The accounts given 
of the transactions of this Conference respecting slavery, in the 
Journals of Dr. Coke and Bishop Asbury, brief as they are, furnish 
a mortifying exhibition of the power of prejudice in the breasts of 
good men. The former says : " A great many principal friends 
met us here to insist on a repeal of our slave rules ; but when they 
found that we had thoughts of withdrawing ourselves entirely from 
that circuit, on account of the violent spirit of some leading men, 
they drew in their horns, and sent us a very humble letter, entreat- 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



177 



ing that Preachers might be appointed for their circuit."* The 
latter remarks : "I found the minds of the people greatly agitated 
with our rules against slavery, and a proposed petition to the Gene- 
ral Assembly for the emancipation of the blacks. Colonel 

and Dr. Coke disputed on the subject, and the Colonel used some 
threats ; next day, Brother O'Kelly let fly at them, and they were 
made angry enough. J 'f The " proposed petition" was carried 
through the Conference, but, it is believed, it never reached the 
Legislature ; and, like many a previous enactment upon the same 
subject, it remained a dead letter upon the statute book of Metho- 
dism. But how humiliating is the exhibition of the contest between 
the clergy and the people, portrayed in the brief extracts we have 
given from two men whose moral worth is beyond all praise. A 
continued repetition of such scenes as were becoming common in 
the Conference room, a few years longer, would have despoiled Me- 
thodism of every green thing in its heritage ; and left it, shorn of 
its locks, a prey to the spoiler. But in this contest the people tri- 
umphed. The great and increasing difficulties in the way of eman- 
cipation could not be overlooked by the ministers.:): Nor were they 
ineffectual. The Conference, with a magnanimity that good men 
only could exercise, paused in their course, suspended their rules, 
returned with renewed interest and energy to their appropriate 
work, and the wheels of Zion were taken out of the miry clay, and 
placed upon a rock. Methodism was established in the land, and 
a door of entrance to the hearts of multitudes w T as thrown wide 
open in the path of the Itinerant. 

Notwithstanding the difference between Mr. Lee and the Confer- 
ence on the subject of slavery, there was a cordial unity of feeling 
between him and Bishop Asbury. This may have been produced, 
in some measure, by a contrast of character that, subdued and 
checked by religion, had the effect to relieve and modify what was 
discrepant in each. Bishop Asbury was possessed of a disposition 
always serious, with a slight tendency to depression. Mr. Lee was 

* Coke's Journal — Sunday, May 1-4, 1785. 
t Asbury's Journal, vol. i. p. 384. 

X Dr. Coke, Journal, under date of June 1, 1785, says: " We thought it pru- 
dent to suspend the Minute concerning slavery for one year, on account of ths 
great opposition that had been given to it, especially in the new circuits." 
12 



178 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



always cheerful and happy. It was, perhaps, principally owing t« 
this unmixed good nature of Mr. Lee, and his singular power of 
transfusing the calm of his own feelings into the bosom of others, 
that caused Bishop Asbury to record, in his Journal, during their 
travel together to Charleston, previously noticed, the sentence — " I 
was comfortable in Brother Lee's company." It was probably for 
comfortable companionship, or to bring him into a more extended 
sphere of usefulness that the Bishop desired Mr. Lee to accompany 
him to the Conference to be held in Baltimore. Except. the sus- 
pension of the rule on slavery, and the expulsion from the ministry 
of one who for ten years had sustained a fair reputation in the 
Church of God ; we do not find, in any record of the times, that 
the proceedings were possessed of a more than ordinary character. 
It is true, the plans for the erection of Cokesbury College were 
brought to maturity ; the site determined upon, and the ground 
purchased, and perhaps the buildings planned and contracted for ; 
and the whole measure arranged for rearing an institution that it 
was fondly hoped would stand up in centuries to come, a monument 
of the zeal of Methodism, and a blessing to the world. But God's 
ways are not our ways. In a few years the edifice was destroyed 
by fire ; and the whole plan ultimately abolished. In another con- 
nexion we may perhaps have more to say on this subject. 

At the close of this Conference, Dr. Coke returned to England, 
after having spent exactly seven months in the country. During 
this period he was in labours abundant. Having fulfilled the great 
object of his mission in organizing the Church according to the 
plan drawn up by Mr. Wesley, and travelled extensively through 
the states in which Methodism was blessed with so many of the 
first fruits of its gracious training, a witness of the favourable re- 
ception everywhere given .o the new organization, and of its ad- 
mirable adaptation to the moral and spiritual condition of the 
people, he returned to gladden the heart of Mr. Wesley by a report 
of the cordial adoption of his measures, and of the entire success 
with which his mission had been crowned. Soon after his return 
to England he published his Journal, some portions of which, when 
republished in this cour'ry, gave very considerable offence to in- 
dividuals. But it cor ained a confession of his error in preaching 
against slavery in Virginia, as it was a civil institution established 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



179 



by law.* A discovery that, if it had been made at an earlier pe- 
riod, and allowed to regulate his practice, would have made his 
ministry far more successful in its true sphere while here, and have 
left upon the public mind a holier savour when gone. 

During his presence at the Conference in Baltimore, Mr. Lee 
was sedulous in cultivating the soil of his own heart. He knew 
the importance, to ministerial happiness and efficiency, of keeping 
bis heart in the knowledge and love of God. And he sought un- 
der all circumstances to have the testimony of a good conscience. 
In the public worship of the Sanctuary he felt himself in the house 
of God, and he strove to make it the gate of heaven to his soul. 
And in the closet, by diligent and prayerful self-examination, he 
searched the depths of his soul to see if there was any evil way in 
him. At the close of each day, he was accustomed to hold con- 
verse with his heart : " I say to myself," he records in his Journal, 

' Soul, where hast thou gleaned to-day ? 

Thy labours how bestowed ? 
What hast thou rightly said or done ? 
What grace obtained or knowledge won 

In following after God V " 

Such attention to his spiritual interests leave no ground for sur- 
prise at the cheerful and happy temper with which he met the 
trials and allotments of life. 

The Caroline circuit on which Mr. Lee was appointed to labour, 
for the year 1785, was within the limits of the Baltimore Conference. 
He preached to the people of his charge early in July, having been 
detained in the city, a short time after the adjournment of Confe- 
rence, by indisposition occasioned by inoculation for the small 
pox. Having entered upon his duties for the year, he gave his 
" faithful diligence to serve God for the promoting of His glory, 
and the edifying of His people." The following extracts from his 
Journal will serve to show the state of his own mind in the work, 
and the effect of his ministry upon the minds of others. 

" Monday, July 4th. This evening I enjoyed the presence of 
the Lord, and could but bless His Name that he ever called me to 
seek His face : for two days I have felt willing to undergo any- 



Hist. Methodists, p. 12a 



180 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



thing for the Lord, that He shall permit. I have been reading 
Madam Guion's Life ; and seeing what she suffered, and how pa- 
tiently she bore all things for the sake of Christ, it has caused me 
to pray fervently that I might be brought also to suffer cheerfully 
and joyfully whatever cross I might have to bear." 

The next day after preaching, at a place called Charles', and 
enjoying the comfortable communion of the Holy Ghost, he gives 
utterance to the strong desire of his heart for the full salvation of 
God. " Blessed be God, that He does look upon the low estate of 
His servant. I have little to say to any one of late, except on re- 
ligious matters. I feel my heart much detached from the world, 
and a constant breathing after holiness. 0, when will the time 
arrive when I shall be filled with all the fulness of God ?" 

" Sunday, 10th. At the Fork Meeting-House, I preached with 
a good deal of life and liberty from Col. iii. 3, 4. I felt very 
much for the people ; and some of them I hope felt for themselves ; 
their tears proved that they felt the word. When I preach and 
can see that the people are affected, then I am contented; but how 
hard it is for me to be satisfied, when I see no visible stir among 
the hearers. For several days, I have felt much deadness to the 
world. This morning I met the coloured class, and was greatly 
comforted among them : I was astonished to hear them speak as 
much to the purpose as they did ; they were dressed very decently. 
I could not doubt but they were seeking the things which are 
above. 

" Saturday, October 1st. At Smith's I preached from Gal. v. 1: 
Standfast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free. I 
bless the Lord this was a day of liberty to me ; while I was speak- 
ing my soul was lost in wonder, love, and praise, and I could but 
call upon my soul to bless the Lord. I seemed to be swallowed 
up in the will of the Lord. I hope the word reached the hearts of 
the hearers. I know that my care of the people does not lie alto- 
gether in preaching to them ; I have now begun to press home 
family duties, the necessity of family religion. I desire to teach 
the people all things necessary for life and salvation. O my God ! 
if thou hast sent me among this people, bless my labours, and let 
me see the work of the Lord revive ; and feel it revive in my own 
heart. Lord answer my request ! 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



181 



" Sunday, 2d. Fork Meeting-House. My text was Colossians 
iv. 2 : Continue in praye?', and watch in the same with thanks- 
giving. This was a time of refreshing from the Lord ! O my 
soul ! bless the name of the Lord, for He has dealt bountifully with 
me. I spoke almost two hours, and the hearers were dissolved in 
tears. I now see that the Lord does not cast off for ever. Though 
heaviness endures for a night, yet joy comes in the morning. Then 
I met the class and gave them an exhortation with respect to 
bringing up their families, and how to live and act one with another. 

" Sunday, 16th. I rose this morning very unwell, and set out 
to town, which was a mile off, before the stars withdrew their shin- 
ing. I preached at the Court-House at sun rising, 1 John iii. 1,2: 
Behold, tuhat manner of love tlve father hath bestowed upon us, 
that we should be called the sons of God! SfC. Though I was un- 
well this morning, I spoke with a good deal of comfort, to many 
hearers. I had reason to believe that the word reached some of 
their hearts. As this was an unusual hour for preaching in this 
part of the world, some expected to see or hear great things, and 
for fear of being too late, they hardly slept any on the preceding 
night." 

The prayers so earnestly offered by Mr. Lee for the revival of 
the work of the Lord, were not altogether in vain. His labours 
on a circuit were always directed with special reference to the pro- 
motion of religious awakening. In the pulpit and class-room he 
sought to prepare the people to meet God ; and in the social circle 
it was a constant practice to endeavour to carry out the principles 
more publicly insisted upon, and thereby " confirm and strengthen, 
in all goodness, righteousness, and truth," those over whose spiritual 
welfare he was the Lord's watchman. He knew that the Church 
must be alive to the cause of religion, zealous for God, and in 
travail for the souls of the people, before there could be any just 
expectation of a gracious general effusion of the Spirit. The min- 
ister's heart might be like Gideon's fleece, and the Church be like 
the dry and parched earth around it. Hence, in all his labours, he 
aimed to impress upon the minds of his hearers the necessity of 
putting religious principles to the test by bringing them to operate 
upon the private engagements of life. He desired to see family 
religion exercising the full measure of its influence in training its 



182 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



members for usefulness in the Church of God. And, perhaps, 
few agencies are more powerful in promoting a just sense of respon- 
sibility, and preserving a proper tone of religious feeling in the Church 
of God, than family prayer when regularly and properly conducted. 
Mr. Lee was fully aware of the moral influence of a holy family 
altar. He had been trained under it. And it is not surprising to 
witness his zeal to bring all who were under his ministerial over- 
sight, under the same hallowing and subduing influences. Nor 
will it be considered strange that such efforts, faithfully continued, 
were happily instrumental in awakening the Church to cordial 
unity of spirit in the work of religion. The power of God was 
present in the assembly of His people, and sinners were converted 
from the error of their ways. The pleasure of the Lord prospered 
in the hands of His servant ; the Church was increased ; and the 
people of God walked in singleness of heart, and in love one for 
another. The failure to report the numbers in Society in the dif- 
ferent circuits, in 1785, already referred to, precludes correctness 
in stating the increase of the circuit during the time he laboured on 
it. In 1784, there were 752 members in Society in the Caroline 
circuit ; and in 1786, there were, " Whites 657, blacks 243," 
making a total of 900, and showing an increase of 148 in two 
years. Flow many of these were brought under the hallowing 
influence of religion through the ministry of Mr. Lee, we have no 
means of ascertaining ; nor is it of importance, any further than 
as success in winning souls to Christ furnishes proof of being 
called of God to the work of preaching repentance and remission of 
sins. 

Mr. Lee continued his labours in the Caroline circuit until 
March 1786, and on the 10th of April attended the session of the 
Virginia Conference, at Lane's Chapel in Sussex county.* At this 
Conference, two ministers, among the first who travelled in Virgi- 
nia, Edward Dromgoole and William Glendenning, " desisted from 
travelling." The latter had evinced symptoms of mental derange- 
ment some time previously, and had ceased from preaching nearly 
a year. Mr. Lee, History of the Methodists, p. 122, gives a few 
extracts from " The Life of William Glendenning," written by him- 

* Dr. Bangs, in his History of the M. E. Church, by a singular mistake, says 
this Conference was held at Jones' Chapel, and on the 18th of April. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



183 



self, which fully prove the loss of reason, or a withdrawal of spir- 
itual influence so complete and awful as to leave the whole mental 
and moral nature a blighted and melancholy wreck. The loss of 
spiritual enjoyment was the commencement of a moral disorder, 
that superinduced impatience of temper, and terminated in horrid 
blasphemy. Such was the awful end of one who did run well for a 
season. Who shall say whether the whole was the effect of natural or 
moral disorder ? How deceitful is sin ! Secret sin may have 
proved the ruin of this man. Who can tell ! 

It may also be mentioned as a matter of importance, that during 
the Conference at Lane's, a statement was made respecting the 
spiritual condition of Georgia ; and volunteers were called for to 
carry the gospel into that destitute region. And such was the 
missionary spirit pervading the breasts of those devoted men, that 
more offered themselves than could be spared from the work in 
Virginia. Only two could be allowed to go ; and these, Thomas Hum- 
phries and John Major, went forth in the name of the Lord, and 
formed a circuit on the Savannah River. Their labours were 
crowned with glorious success ; and at the close of the year they 
reported an accession of 450 members to the Church. 

After the adjournment of Conference, which only continued two 
days, Mr. Lee returned to Maryland, and on the 8th of May 
attended the Baltimore Conference at Abingdon.* Of this Con- 
ference, Bishop Asbury says, " Love, candour, and precision, 
marked our deliberations ;" a statement not more comprehensive 
respecting the perfect propriety of their deliberations, than it is 
unintelligible as to the subject matter of them. Beyond this we 
can find no certain record of its proceedings. There is one fact, 
however, stated in the Minutes, that so perfectly reflects the 
brotherly identity of the fathers of our Church, that it may be fitly 
introduced as an indication of the spirit of the times. One of 
their members, Jeremiah Lambert, had departed this life, and 
the Conference appropriated fourteen pounds to defray his funeral 
expenses. As this amount was taken from " the yearly collection 
towards supplying the deficiencies of the Preachers," it shows their 

* Dr. Bangs (see History), and the Minutes, say this Conference was held in 
Baltimore. But Lee, in his Journal, and Bishop Asbury, Journal, vol. i. p, 
397, say Abingdon. We have followed these in the text. 



184 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



generous magnanimity in yielding their own claims to satisfy the 
demands of such an exigency. 

At this Conference, Mr. Lee was eligible to Deacon's orders. 
But, after duly weighing the matter, and for reasons satisfactory 
to his own mind, he declined entering into orders. What peculiar 
reasons operated to produce such a decision in his mind, we have 
no means of ascertaining. A careful consideration of his cha- 
racter for independence of opinion, and his steady purpose to 
follow the dictates of conscience in all things, in connexion with 
his strong attachment — the effect of sincere approbation — to 
Methodism in its Ecclesiastical organization, as well as its doctrines 
and moral discipline, precludes all suspicion of any reason that 
did not centre in his own sense of unfitness for the office. In 
1783, at the Conference in Baltimore, he was urgently importuned 
to forego his opposition, and conform to the regulations of the 
Church. During the same year, at the Conference in Philadelphia, 
Bishop Asbury, sensible of the need of ordained ministers, and 
anxious to have the services of Mr. Lee in a more enlarged sphere 
of usefulness, and, perhaps, regarding him as being governed by 
prejudice, undertook to remonstrate with him. But he was im- 
moveable ; he thought it better for himself and the Church to 
remain without orders. Mr. Thrift, in his Memoirs, and with a 
knowledge derived from personal intimacy, as well as the Journals 
of Mr. Lee, says : " There is not the least shadow of reason to 
believe that he at all doubted the validity of our ordination. He 
was not among that number who contended for a succession of 
Episcopal ordination from the Bishop of Rome, or that believed it 
could only be validly done by a Bishop of the Established Church 
of England. He believed in none of these unsupported and 
antiquated doctrines. Xeither did he censure others for receiving 
the holy office ; because he was willing that ' every one should be 
fully persuaded in his own mind,' as this was the course which he 
was determined to pursue himself. And although his refusal to 
receive orders might have the appearance of obstinacy, to those 
who were not acquainted with his real motives, yet we are by no 
means disposed to attribute it to this cause. Motives of interest 
alone might have had some influence on the minds of individuals, 
to induce them to step into orders, when so repeatedly solicited by 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



185 



the Church ; but motives like these weighed nothing with Mr. Lee ; 
for even when it was proposed in the Conference at Philadelphia, 
that Ministers should receive a small compensation for celebrating 
the rites of matrimony, he opposed it with all his might. In 
this respect, he might have erred ; but, judging from the tenor of 
his life, we are bold to say that it was his most decided opinion at 
that time, that such a course should be pursued." This forms a 
sufficient vindication of the purity of his motives, although it still 
leaves us ignorant of the reasons by which he was actuated. 

The field of labour which it was the lot of Mr. Lee to cultivate 
daring the year 1786, was Kent circuit, in the state of Maryland. 
The Conference adjourned on the 10th, and two days thereafter he 
preached his first sermon to the people of his charge. He entered 
upon the duties of his holy calling with a more intense concern for 
the conversion of sinners. The brief extracts from his Journal 
will show that his own soul was vigorous and ardent in the pursuit 
of the true riches ; and also, that he was animated by a truly 
Christian spirit, in his efforts to promote the spiritual improvement 
of the people. His soul was greatly enlarged with love for God, 
and zeal for those over whom he had the spiritual oversight. He 
was abundant in labours ; and his success in bringing souls to fel- 
lowship with Christ, was great and joyous. 

" Sunday, May 14th, 1786. At Chester Town, I preached from 
1 Thess. v. 19: Quench not the Spirit. I showed, I. The many 
ways in which the Spirit of God operates upon the hearts of the peo- 
ple. II. How the Spirit may be quenched. III. The consequence 
of quenching the Spirit. IV. The blessed effects whidh will ensue, 
if we quench it not. I felt my soul quickened while speaking to 
the people — I find my heart much drawn out in prayer to God in 
their behalf. O ! may I have cause to bless God that my lot was 
cast amongst this people. There is nothing in the world I want to 
see so much as a revival of religion. O, may I feel as well as 
see it ! 

" Monday, 29th. At Plummer's, I preached from Dan. vi. 16 : 
Thy God, whom thou servest continually, He will deliver thee. 
As soon as I began to sing, I felt my soul happy in the Lord, and, 
while I was praying, the power of the Lord was sensibly felt in 



186 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



the midst ; but, while I was speaking from the text, the Lord was 
more powerfully present. There was weeping on every side, both 
among saints and sinners. Blessed be God ! it was a precious time 
to me ; I can truly say that I sowed in hope this day. It was the 
most powerful day I have seen in the circuit. 

" Sunday, June 11th. Chester Town, 10 o'clock, ^endeavoured 
to show the nature, necessity, and effects of prayer, from 1 Thess. 
v. 17. Towards the latter part of the discourse, the poor hearers 
were quite overcome, and weeping was heard in every part of the 
house. I felt such a love for the people, and such a desire for their 
salvation, that my heart seemed ready to break. At length, my 
tears prevented utterance, and I stopped for a few moments, and 
then resumed my discourse. O, what a time it was among the 
people ! There was scarcely a dry eye in the house. Some of the 
most dressy people shook, being deeply affected with the word 
which reached their hearts. If I never have the comfort of seeing 
these people brought to the Lord, I think I have had the comfort of 
seeing them cut to the heart, under the word. The Lord has been 
good to me this day. I felt great peace in my soul after the meet- 
ing was over. 

" This morning I met the black class, visited a sick person, and 
then went and visited the prisoners before preaching. I know my 
moments are very precious, and it is a great pity that I should let 
so many pass away unimproved. After dinner, we rode down to 
the Old Chapel, and, at four o'clock, I preached from 1 Tim. ii. 4 : 
Who icill have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge 
of the truth. ' I felt a degree of liberty in speaking. The people 
were much affected. I had a pleasing view while I was speaking, 
of the willingness of God to save all men. I am sure I felt willing 
to spare no pains in teaching them the way to be saved. I bless 
the Lord that he does not leave me without some comfort. I feel 
still determined to pursue my course, though death and hell ob- 
struct my way. This night I went to bed in peace. 

" Saturday, July 8th. I met the children at Chester Town, for 
the first time. I have been convinced in my own mind, ever since 
I came to this circuit, that it would be of great advantage to the 
children to meet them here as in other places. I had no cause to 
doubt it, after our first meeting. At 3 o'clock, I met the women's 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



187 



class ; and I believe they could all say it was good to be there. I 
felt myself happy amongst them; and the greater part of the class 
was in tears. This is the first time the men and women have been 
met apart since I divided the class. I think the class increases in 
grace as well as in number. 

"Thursday, 12th October," he thus writes : " We had a melting 
time in class-meeting, at Woodland's. It was a time of great com- 
fort ; some, when spoken to, could only answer with their tears. 
There was an elderly woman, with her two daughters, who staid 
in, and desired to join Society. When they made the offer, many 
of the friends wept aloud for joy ; for joy hath tears as well as 
grief. I opened the Hymn Book, and gave out the following 
words : 

' Who are these who come from far ? 

Swifter than the flying cloud ; 
Thick as flocking doves they are, 

Eager in pursuit of God. 

Trembling as the storm draws nigh, 

Hast'ning to their place of rest ; 
See them to the windows fly, 

To the ark of Jesus' breast.' 

" I think this day I felt a resolution to give my all to God ; I 
have but two mites, and I now cast them into the Lord's treasury. 
O, my God ! I have no better sacrifice to make — wilt thou accept 
my soul and my body % They are thine — thou hast given them to 
me, and now I render them back to thee, and keep back no part 
of the price. O, my soul ! bless God ; and forget not all His 
benefits." 

The circuit on which Mr. Lee was thus toiling with so much 
usefulness to the Church, and so much profit to his own soul, was 
one of the first that was formed in America. And like most of 
the circuits of the times, it was by no means a small one, either in 
the ground it covered, or the number of appointments it contained. 
Its territory included Kent, Cecil, Caroline, and Queen Anne 
counties ; and in four weeks he had to preach thirty-one times and 
meet fifty-two classes — an amount of labour that left but little 
leisure on his hands. Still, he toiled on, setting the weather and 
fatigue at defiance ; and, even in sickness, he persevered in attend- 



188 



THE LIFE 



AND TIMES OF 



ing his engagements. He had given himself — soul, body and 
spirit — to the Lord ; and he could keep back no part of the offering. 
Constant as was the demand upon his time and strength, he scru- 
pulously fulfilled all that the state of the circuit, or the awakened 
concern of the people, required of him. In all labour there is 
profit. The truth of this remark was happily realized by Mr. Lee, 
both with regard to his personal pleasure in working for Christ, 
and with regard to the success with which his ministry was 
crowned. While he was on the circuit, three hundred were added 
to the Societies. Many more, it is probable, had been brought 
into the Kingdom of Christ ; but, as has always been the case, 
some sought Christian fellowship elsewhere, and others returned tc 
the weak and beggarly elements of the world. During the year, 
and in nearly every part of the connexion, there was a gracious 
revival of religion. God was increasing the faith of His people, 
and multiplying the number of those that believe in His name. 
And thereby preparing the Church for those gracious displays of 
Divine power and grace that, during several years immediately suc- 
ceeding, filled the country with astonishment and the Church with 
redeemed and rejoicing converts. 

On the 30th of March, 1787, Mr. Lee took leave of his people, 
and repaired to Conference. It was a season of deep and solemn 
interest. The gracious revival in which they had been engaged, 
their endeared social intercourse, and their strong and ardent sym- 
pathy, quickened by a joyous experience of the things of God, made 
them truly reluctant to separate. But submission to the appoint- 
ments of Providence, and the blessed hope of a blissful meeting at 
the right hand of God in the heavenly places, calmed their feelings, 
and filled them with a quiet and holy resignation. 

The Conference to which Mr. Lee was now attached, was held 
in the city of Baltimore, on the 1st of May, 1787. Of the business 
that occupied the attention of the Conference, Bishop Asbury says : 
"We had some warm and close debates in Conference; but all 
ended in love and peace. After much fatigue and trouble, our 
Conference ended on Monday, the 6th of May." Although nothing 
is here said of the subjects that occasioned the " warm and close 
debates" of this session, yet we are not altogether without informa- 
tion as to some of the points in debate ; and from their nature we 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



189 



may easily conjecture that the dispute would be both warm and 
close. One of these subjects was the old, vexed one of slavery. 
The spirit of antagonism to slavery, though greatly moderated, was 
not entirely quieted. But in some respects the character of the 
agitation was changed. The Conference now sought as earnestly 
to promote the spiritual emancipation of the slaves from the domi- 
nion of sin, as it had formerly strove to effect their deliverance 
from civil bondage. In this they were strictly within the limits of 
their ministerial function. But it would seem from the spirit and 
language of the rule* that the interest for the slaves had abated, 
or that it had spent its strength upon the efforts for their deliver- 
ance from legal bondage ; or, losing hope of accomplishing any 
real benefit to the slave by their crusade against slavery, they had 
at length resolved to confine themselves to the just and well defined 
limits of their ministry, and by a course more accordant with the 
conduct of the Apostles, seek, by bringing master and servant under 
the power of the gospel, to promote the mutual welfare and final 
salvation of both. It was no doubt owing to this chaDge that 
we find, from the time of distinguishing between the whites and 
blacks in reporting the numbers in Society in 1786, a regular and 
most gratifying increase in the membership of the Church from 
that class of the population of the country. j* It is true, similar, 
and even greater success, attended their labours among the whites.! 

*- " Ques. 17. What directions shall we give for the promotion of the spiritual 
welfare of the slaves ? 

" Ans : We conjure all our Ministers and Preachers, by the love of God, and 
the salvation of souls, and do require them, by all the authority that is invested 
in us, to leave nothing undone for the spiritual benefit and salvation of the ne- 
groes, within their respective circuits, or districts ; and for this purpose to em- 
brace every opportunity of inquiring into the state of their souls, and to unite 
in Society those who appear to have a real desire of fleeing from the wrath to 
come, to meet such in class, and to exercise the whole Methodist Discipline 
among them." Minutes, 1787. 

t This increase will appear from the following statement. In 1786 there 
were 1890 blacks in Society ; in 1787, 3893 ; in 1788, 6545 ; in 1789, 8243 ; in 
1790,11,682. Making an average increase on the original number of 2448 per 
annum. Would this gratifying result have been reached if the practice of 
preaching against slavery had been continued ? 

t The following table will illustrate this. In 1786, there were 18,791 whitee 
in Society; in 1787, 21,949; in 1788, 30,809; in 1789, 35,019 ; in 1790, 45,949. 



190 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



But this may have resulted, in part, and under the blessing of 
God, from ceasing to agitate the Societies upon a subject that, after 
it is magnified to the greatest stretch of importance, is still subordi- 
nate to the peace of the Church and the salvation of souls. And 
it is very clear, whatever opinions may now be entertained of the 
course our fathers deemed it right and proper to pursue in the matter 
of emancipation, that the greatest revivals that, it is probable, have 
ever distinguished the labours of the Methodist ministry, were com- 
menced immediately after the suspension of our Ecclesiastical 
measures against slavery.* And to the present time, the largest 
success and richest triumphs of Methodism in America, have been 
wrought out on soil hated and denounced by unreasonable men for 
its connexion with this, in their judgment, giant abomination. 

Another subject that gave interest to the Conference, and origin 
and matter for close and strong debate, respected the position sus- 
tained by Dr. Coke to the Church in America. He had arrived in 
Charleston, South Carolina, on his second visit to the United States, 
on the 28th of February, 1787, and, after the adjournment of the 
Conference in that city, had travelled with Bishop Asbury through 
North Carolina and Virginia, attending the Virginia Conference, 
and preaching very generally during the tour in both states. Pre- 
vious to his arrival, he had, perhaps to suit his own plan of travel- 
ling, altered the time and place of holding some of the Conferences. 
This was exercising a power not granted to the Episcopacy by the 
statutes or usages of Methodism. The place, especially, of holding 
a Conference was determined upon by the body, and after that was 
settled there was an obvious inconvenience attending its removal, 
or in changing the time of its meeting. The interference with this 
established usage of the Church met with the decided disapproba- 

* It forms no valid objection to this position, that Methodism is now success- 
ful even while agitated by the measures of Abolitionists. For, in the first place, 
the agitation now is partial, and remote from the slaveholding states ; whereas, 
at the time referred to in the text, the agitation embraced the whole Church, 
and was most violent in the presence of slavery. And, in the second place, a 
comparison of the state of Methodism now, in the Abolition Conferences and 
those in the slaveholding states, will confirm the position that success is greatest 
where the least opposition is evinced to the legal relation between master and 
slave. In a word, the triumph of the Church is always greatest where she con. 
fines her efforts to her legitimate objects. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



191 



tion of many of the ministers. It was also urged against Dr. Coke 
that he had written letters to some of the ministers calculated to 
produce discord among them, to the injury of religion and the grief 
of the Church. In the Baltimore Conference these matters were 
complained of. The opposition to the course he had pursued was 
general and decided. Of the letters referred to in the records that 
have come down to us, we know nothing, except that they are de- 
nominated " improper," and " such as were calculated to stir up 
strife and contention among" the Preachers, by one who was pre- 
sent at the time, and who reports the opinion entertained of them 
by the Conference. Still, it is not improbable but their design was 
misconstrued, their import misunderstood, and their character ex- 
aggerated. Charity, aided by even a partial knowledge of the 
Doctor's character, will justify such an interpretation of their con- 
tents. And, with regard to the changes he is said to have made in 
the time and place of holding the Conferences, it may be very safely 
attributed to a strong anxiety to be present at them, which, without 
such a change, he could not accomplish. And in this view of the 
subject a reasonable apology, if not a sufficient justification, might 
have been made for the proceeding. But in this light the Confer- 
ence did not regard the matter. To them it wore the aspect of an 
interference with the conventional rights and just authority of the 
Conference, and they resisted it as an encroachment upon them, no 
less than a departure from the essential principles of the moderate 
Episcopacy that entered into the constitution of the Church. Upon 
this ground there is ample justification for the apparent harshness 
and severity of their proceedings. They were jealous for the Ec- 
clesiastical system they had taken so much pains to establish, and, 
in justice to themselves and their principles, they could not overlook 
the first infraction of its laws. And while, with a manliness of 
purpose to preserve their constitution, and a just and a proper reve- 
rence for their Bishop, they rebuked the interference ; they, with a 
far reaching acumen, provided against all future causes of com- 
plaint by demanding a relinquishment, on the part of Dr. Coke, of 
all right and authority to exercise Episcopal jurisdiction over the 
Church during his absence from the United States. The Doctor 
yielded to this demand, acknowledged the impropriety of his course 
both with respect to the changes of the Conferences, and the letters 



192 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



to the Preachers ; and gave to the Conference a solemn promise 
never again to interfere with the affairs of the Church during his 
absence from the country. He also gave a written instrument 
binding himself to the observance of his promise. It is in the form 
and language following : 

" The Certificate of Dr. Coke to the Conference. 

" I do solemnly engage by this instrument, that I never will, by 
virtue of my office, as Superintendent of the Methodist Church, 
during my absence from the United States of America, exercise any 
government whatever in the said Methodist Church during my ab- 
sence from the United States. And I do also engage, that I will 
exercise no privilege in the said Church when present in the United 
States, except that of ordaining according to the regulations and 
law, already existing or hereafter to be made in the said Church, 
and that of presiding when present in Conference, and lastly, that 
of travelling at large. Given under my hand, the second day of 
May, in the year 1787. 

THOMAS COKE. 

Witnesses : 
John Tunnil, 
John Hagerty, 
Nelson Reed." 

After the presentation of this instrument the Conference agreed 
to overlook and forgive all that was past, but it was, at the same 
time, expressly stipulated that the engagement of Dr. Coke was to 
be entered on the Minutes. Accordingly, in answer to the ques- 
tion : " Who are the Superintendents of our Church for the United 
States ?" it stands : " Thomas Coke (when present in the States) 
and Francis Asbury." In the previous years, the words for the 
United States, as they stand in the first question for this, are not 
found in the Minutes. The proceedings of Dr. Coke, above related, 
opened the eyes of the Conference to the necessity of restricting 
him from the exercise of Episcopal prerogatives, except when he 
was present with the Church and cognizant of its affairs. It is not 
improbable but the circumstances now passing under review had 
the effect of inducing the Conference to recede from its engagement 
to submit to the authority of Mr. Wesley in all Ecclesiastical matters 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



193 



during his life. At least, it is certain that the same reason, the 
practical difficulties in the way of such an administration, rendering 
it impossible in local matters, and extremely difficult in general 
affairs, for one so remote from the scene to act with a proper re- 
gard to the various individual and public interests involved, operated 
in both instances ; and not only authorized the decisions of the 
Conference, but furnishes a most complete and unassailable justifi- 
cation of its action in each. 

The recession from the engagement to submit to the authority 
of Mr. Wesley occurred at the Conference whose proceedings we 
are reviewing ; and no doubt gave origin to some of the " warm 
and close debates" heretofore referred to. The occasion of this 
act is too important an event in the history. of American Methodism, 
to be omitted in a notice, however brief, of the times in which it 
transpired. Among the proceedings of the General Conference of 
1784, which resulted in the complete organization of the Church, 
the following engagement was entered into, whether at the instiga- 
tion of Dr. Coke, or of their own voluntary offer and deed, we have 
no information. But it was an engagement made in good faith, and 
in the confidence of a profound veneration for the great and good 
man for whom they cherished feelings of filial reverence and af- 
fection. It was in these words : " During the life of the Rev. Mr. 
Wesley we acknowledge ourselves his sons in the gospel, ready, in 
matters belonging to Church government, to obey his commands. 
And we do engage, after his death, to do everything that we 
judge consistent with the cause of religion in America and the 
political interests of these States, to preserve and promote our union 
with the Methodists in Europe."* The avowed object of this en- 
gagement, and, perhaps, the only one that could justify it, was the 
preservation of the Ecclesiastical identity and spiritual unity of Me- 
thodism. And they did not doubt but both might be maintained in 
subordination, on their part, to the judgment of Mr. Wesley in all 
things relating to Church government. But they were drawing too 
largely upon human nature when they entered that resolution upon 
their Minutes. Yet it was done " in the integrity of their hearts, 
and the innocency of their hands." At the Conference of 1787 
the propriety of the engagement was put to the test of stern experi- 

* Minutes of General Conference of 1784, Answer to Question 2. 

13 



194 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



ment. Mr. Wesley, to honour a man greatly beloved, by increas- 
ing his responsibilities and enlarging the field of his usefulness, and, 
as under the act of the Conference, if he so understood it, he had a 
perfect right to do, directed that Mr. Whatcoat should be ordained 
a joint Superintendent with Bishop Asbury. A large majority of 
the Preachers objected to the appointment, and refused their 
consent to it. This was done upon broad and comprehensive 
grounds. With an independence that does them credit, they de- 
murred to the appointment of Mr. Whatcoat, because he was 
unqualified by experience and attainments, and a capacity for 
government, to take charge of a Church so complex in its relations 
to the different sovereign states of our Confederated Government ; 
so unique in its general character, and yet so diversified in its local 
interests ; so strongly opposed in some of its measures, and yet so 
rapidly developing its lesources, and multiplying its successes in 
every department of its operations : for such an office they did riot 
doem him competent, and with commendable candour they declared 
their opinions. In the next place, they were apprehensive, with 
what reason is not known, that, if they consented to the ordination 
of Mr. Whatcoat, Mr. Wesley, supposing they could then dispense 
with the services of Bishop Asbury, might recall him to England, 
and thereby deprive the Church of his invaluable services in the 
councils of their Conferences, and on the broad field of their itine- 
rant operations, — a consummation, in their judgment, devoutly to be 
deplored, and to be prevented even in despite of the imputation of 
disobedience to an authority erected by themselves, and which they 
had resolved to obey. Dr. Coke, anxious to carry out his instruc- 
tions, urged the obligation they were under to obey Mr. Wesley, 
grounded upon the authority they had conferred upon him to make 
the appointment. But it was replied, that many of those now present 
and objecting to the appointment, were not members of the Confer- 
ence of 1784 ; and therefore, as they had no participation in the 
original decision, and did not approve of the engagement, they 
were under no obligation to submit to it. In civil transactions 
such enactments would be binding, but in Ecclesiastical questions 
one generation has no power to legislate for another. Moreover, 
it was argued, that the measure was purely a Conference transac- 
tion, and not binding as a moral subject ; that if the Conference 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



195 



had the right to enter into the engagement, they also had the 
right to recede from it ; and that if they found it to be wrong in 
principle, and impracticable or injurious in operation, they were 
under the force of a moral obligation to annul the arrangement. 
And the impolicy of the whole arrangement was argued upon the 
grounds of the remoteness of Mr. Wesley from the field whereon 
they were employed in building the temple of God, and of his want 
of information on a variety of subjects whose nature and importance, 
however adverse and conflicting, found a centre of unity in the 
Episcopacy, and thereby invested that office with an incalculable 
authority and responsibility, that, in the nature of things, disquali- 
fied him for any proper use of the power with which he was in- 
trusted by the act of 1784, especially with regard to the appoint- 
ment of Bishops. The very_ nature of the Episcopal office, its 
trusts and instrumentalities, as established at the_ Christmas Con- 
ference, foredoomed the engagement of submission to Mr. Wesley, 
as unwise and impracticable ; and that without any disrespect to him, 
or any disparagement to those who receded from it. This act of 
recession has formed the theme of much ill-natured declamation from 
tnose who, having seceded from Methodism, have striven, by affected 
veneration for Mr. Wesley, to throw odium upon this act of the 
fathers of the American Methodist Church. But if there was any 
thing wrong in the transaction, it was in the decision by which 
the Conference of 1784 bound themselves to obey Mr. Wesley's 
commands in matters belonging to Church government. This 
was thereal act of impropriety. It was surrendering more for them- 
selves than comported with the responsibility of exercising " a right 
judgment in the things of God ;" and it was surrendering more for 
those who came after them than they had any right to do. But, 
although it was opening a door for difference and discord, it was 
done in the simplicity of Christian affection, not as a stipulated co- 
venant between them and Mr. Wesley, but as an expression of 
their veneration for him, and of their unbounded confidence in the 
purity of his character and the soundness of his judgment. Nor 
is there any reason to believe that they considered the rule they 
had adopted on the subject as an act empowering Mr. Wesley to 
appoint their Superintendents, or binding themselves to acquiesce 
in such an appointment, if he should make it. In the Prayer Book 



196 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



sent to America by Dr. Coke, and prepared for the Methodists by 
Mr. Wesley, the form for " the Ordination of Superintendents," 
provides that " after the Gospel and the sermon are ended, the 
elected person shall be presented by two Elders unto the Superin- 
tendent." And the Minutes of the Conference of 1784 declared 
that " No person shall be ordained a Superintendent, Elder, or 
Deacon, without the consent of a majority of the Conference." 
These two facts show the office of Superintendent was designed to 
be elective. That the Conference did not intend, by their resolution 
to obey Mr. Wesley in matters of Church government, to author- 
ize him to appoint their Superintendents, is evident from the fact, 
that at the same session they made the office to depend upon the 
consent of a majority of their own body ; and it was only by such 
an election that Mr. Asbury would accept it. And that Mr. Wes- 
ley did not so regard it is equally clear. It is certain from the Prayer' 
Book, that he neither claimed nor expected to exercise such an 
authority after the formal organization of the Church. And in the 
case of Mr. Whatcoat, there is no ground for supposing that he 
assumed the power of appointment. The letter to Dr. Coke on the 
subject contains no command, and only expresses a desire that he 
may be appointed Superintendent.* When, therefore, in obedi- 
ence to his instructions, Dr. Coke urged the appointment of Mr. 
Whatcoat. the Conference, for reasons satisfactory to themselves, 
and m the exercise~oT"an independent right, refused their con- 
sent. By this refusal they offered no violation to their own rule, 
and intended no disrespect to Mr. Wesley. But since the design 
of tne rule was misapprehended by some, and their refusal to con- 
sent to the elevation of Mr. Whatcoat to the Episcopal office was 
construed into insubordination to the authority of Mr. Wesley, by 
others, they very prudently resolved to rescind the rule by which they 
had resolved to obey him, and thereby remove every ground of dis- 
pute or misunderstanding. It was this act of receding from the 
rule of 1784, that constituted what is known in our Ecclesiastical 
history as leaving Mr. Wesley's name off the Minutes. In conclu- 

*Mr. Wesley, in a letter to Dr. Coke, dated London, September 6, 1786, says : 
" I desire that you would appoint a General Conference of all our Preachers jn 
theJJ nite d States , to meet at Baltimore, on May the first, 1787. And that Mr. 
Richard Whatcoat may be appointed Superintendent with Mr. Francis Asbury. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



197 



sion of this affair, the Conference wrote an affectionate letter to Mr, 
Wesley, it is probable detailing the circumstances of the transac- 
tion, and inviting him to visit his spiritual children in America, 
that he might see how graciously God had blessed them, under- 
stand their various concerns, and be satisfied of the rectitude of their 
actions, even in departing from the course he had suggested.* 

The Conference whose transactions we have been considering, 
was, perhaps, the longest one that had ever been held in America. 
Previously, two days had sufficed for the completion of their busi- 
ness ; but six days, according to Bishop Asbury, had been occupied 
in the business that came before this. But the great principles 
claiming attention were settled ; th e_govern ment_^fjhe_Church _was J ^ 



placed on a firmer basis, and when they departed to their appoint- 



each other. 

The appointment of Mr. Lee for the year on whose duties we 
have now entered, stands on the Minutes for Baltimore, but there 
J8 reason to believe that several months, immediately aftei- Confe- 
rence, were spent on the circuit adjoining the city. After the ad- 
journment of the Conference he returned on a short visit to his 
friends on the Kent circuit. While here he visited a sick lady ; 
and found, in the circumstances that brought her to a participation 

* It may not be out of place to add here, as it forms a part of the history of 
the times, that- the Conference during the year 1787 undertook the settlement 
of a matter respecting married Preachers, which had formed the subject of con- 
siderable complaint in preceding years. From the nature of the rule adopted to 
regulate the support of married Preachers, it would seem that they were in the 
habit of stipulating with the people for the amount they were to receive, or of 
claiming more than a proportionate allowance, taking the disciplinary regula- 
tion as the standard of apportionment. Hence the rule as it stands on the 
Minutes : 

" Ques. 18. Are not many of our Preachers and people dissatisfied with the 
salaries allowed our married Preachers, who have children ? 

" Ans. They are. Therefore, for the future, no married Preacher shall de- 
mand more than forty-eight pounds a year (Pennsylvania currency)." In 1774, 
Preachers were allowed " six pounds (Pennsylvania currency) per quarter, and 
their travelling charges besides." In 1778, Preachers were allowed eight 
pounds (Virginia currency) per quarter. In 1780, "the wives of married 
Preachers were to receive an equivalent with their husbands in quarterage, if 
they stand in need." 




ments, it was with unabated confidence in the efficiency of their 
organization, and with a profounder respect and affection for 



198 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



of the blessings of the atonement, encouragement to imitate the 
example of Christ — ivlw went about doing good — or to continue in 
the doctrine of the Apostle, and exhort, reprove, and rebuke, icith 
all long-suffering and. authority. When he entered the room, 
she began to weep and praise God ; and to declare His goodness 
to her soul. Addressing Mr. Lee, she said : " Last Sunday-week, 
when I took my leave of you at the Meeting House, you spoke to 
me about the welfare of my soul, and it had such weight with me 
that I promised the Lord that I would not eat, drink, or sleep, till 
He pardoned my sins ; and that night I did not sleep. The next 
day, about four o'clock, the Lord set my soul at liberty, and I wanted 
to see you ; I knew you would help me to praise the Lord." How 
mysterious, often, is the way of the Spirit in bringing a sinner 
from the darkness of this world, to the light and joy of spiritual 
things! Many who harden their hearts against all the efforts of 
the pulpit, and are proof alike against the terrors of the Lord and 
the persuasive eloquence of the gospel, have their hearts broken by 
a less public, but kind word spoken in season. And how strongly 
do all such instances plead for a diligent observance of the Apos- 
tolic rule — be instant in season, out of season, — a word fitly spoken 
may save a soul. Knowing Mr. Lee's anxiety to do good, we 
may readily imagine the pleasure he experienced in learning thai 
God had so honoured him as to make him a blessing to one for 
whom Christ died. 

On returning from this visit, Mr. Lee, according to the state- 
ment of Mr. Thrift, " went to travel a circuit adjoining the city of 
Baltimore, where he laboured with good success, until the latter 
part of August, at which time he took his appointment in the city.* 
In the Minutes for the year, his name stands as the minister for 
Baltimore. Whether the postponement of the time of entering 
upon his pastoral duties in the city, w r as by the special appointment 
of the Conference, or a private arrangement to suit the convenience 
of some brother in the ministry, we have not been able to discover. 
And it is a matter of small importance, since, wherever he was, he 
was happy in the belief that God's presence was with him, and 
would prove a helper of his ministry and a solace of his heart ; 
and this was all his desire, and all his delight. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



199 



In August, Mr. Lee entered upon his duties in the city of Balti- 
more. Here was a new field — white already unto the harvest — • 
wherein he might find full employment for all his talents, a ready 
demand for all his energies. The population of a crowded city, 
composed as it is of such a variety of classes, and so many shades 
of moral character, presents to a Christian minister, whose heart 
has been moulded by the Spirit into a resemblance of Christ, an 
ever varying but constantly enlarging field of diligent and useful 
toil. And from every survey of the field his spirit must return op- 
pressed and sorrowing for the thousands who, with little or no 
consciousness of danger, are hurrying on to a doom as certain and 
changeless as it is terrific and eternal. Even among the more re- 
fined and educated classes of society, he will often find a forget- 
fulness of God, and a disregard of religion, as deep and ruinous, 
though not so debasing, as that which revels in the indulgence of 
a gross and brutalizing licentiousness. And, on every hand, he 
will find reason for giving utterance to words with which the holy 
and warm-hearted Apostle declared his sense of the perilous con- 
dition of the Gentile world — " having no hope, and without God." 
If we may judge of the feelings of Mr. Lee with respect to the 
moral condition of the people, from the plans he adopted, and the 
efforts he employed to bring them from the power of Satan unto 
God, there can be no room to question but he was burdened with 
anxiety to improve their morals and promote their salvation. He 
seems to have regarded the city as in some sense his parish, and 
to have desired to bring his ministry to bear with spiritual efficiency 
upon the entire population. But he knew that true wisdom not 
only sought the best ends, but selected the most suitable and effi- 
cient means for prosecuting them. In all his plans of usefulness 
he aimed to begin at the right place, and to build on the true foun- 
dation. His first duty was with the Church of God — to preserve 
its purity, to promote its spirituality : his next, was to bring the 
aliens and strangers to the unity of a true faith in Christ, and the 
fellowship of a holy love with his people. To both of these ob- 
jects he gave his most faithful diligence. 

As soon as he was settled in his new field of labour, Mr. Lee 
entered upon a course of means that, prosecuted with efficiency, he 
knew would issue in good to the Church of God. Surveying the 



200 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



new relations in which he was placed with a scrutiny that embraced 
the duties, and felt the responsibilities of the pastoral office, he de- 
termined to make duty and conscience, not the example, however 
excellent, of any who may have preceded him, the rule of his 
efforts. The pastoral work, comprehending a faithful performance 
of all the offices that religion exacts for the promotion of the glory 
of God and the salvation of men, was felt as a most pressing 
obligation ; and zealously did he strive to meet all its demands. In 
obedience to the rule he had adopted, to do all the good in his 
power, he commenced a regular visitation of the classes, in order 
to learn the spiritual state of his people, that he might adapt his 
more public labours to their godly edifying. At the Conference of 
1779, the question was asked, "Ought not every Travelling 
Preacher to meet the class wherever he preaches ?" and it was 
answered, " Yes, if possible." With this rule of the Church — for 
it amounted to a positive requirement — Mr. Lee faithfully complied, 
as well because it was his duty to do so, as for the sake of the 
spiritual benefits attending the exercises of the class-room. Seek- 
ing to keep the fire of pure religion in his own heart, and desirous 
of receiving more grace, and of imparting, according to the measure 
of his ability, to the necessities of others, he was careful to use 
this most important means of grace himself, and thereby encou- 
rage his brethren to follow him, in obedience to the rule of the 
Church, and in striving after the fullness of the blessing of the 
gospel of Christ. The advantages of this course were twofold: 
his own heart was enlarged and strengthened, and the confidence 
of his people was secured, and their Christian zeal and diligence 
excited to greater activity in the work of the Lord. 

In addition to a regular visitation of the classes, a general course 
of visiting for prayer and religious conversation was commenced, 
as an important part of the pastoral function, and as auxiliary to the 
great spiritual purposes of the ministry. In these visits, the matured 
Christian experience of Mr. Lee, and the fund of information upon 
all religious subjects he had gathered from reading and observation, 
were happily brought in to make his company agreeable, and his 
instructions impressive and effectual. Few men possessed greater 
or more attractive powers of conversation ; and his memory was a 
capacious storehouse, full of treasured incidents, always at com- 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



201 



mand to encourage the desponding, to rebuke the presuming, to 
revive and edify the humble believer, and to rekindle and give 
direction and energy to the zeal of the lukewarm and faltering. 
But, in his pastoral visits, he did not confine himself to those who 
belonged to the Church. He went to " those v/ho needed him 
most," however insensible they might be of their need. Making 
his own sense of responsibility, not the feelings of the " dead in 
trespasses and sins," the gauge of his duty, he visited those who 
attended his ministry, following with private and personal entreaty 
to embrace the salvation which is in Christ, the more public but not 
less earnest exhortations to repentance and faith. Publicly, and 
from house to house, he testified the gospel of the grace of God ; 
and, in simplicity and godly sincerity, but with meekness of wis- 
dom, and the authority of a man of God, he reproved the guilty, 
warned the impenitent and unbelieving, wept and prayed with the 
sorrowful who sought after Christ, and rejoiced with the cheerful 
and happy partakers of the Divine Nature — the forgiven and 
saved. 

The sick and afflicted also shared largely in the religious atten- 
tions of Mr. Lee. From the beginning of Methodism, it has been 
a recognised duty of the ministry to seek out the sick ; to vmt, 
instruct, and pray for them. This rule not only accords with what 
the Scriptures enjoin as a duty, but it coincides with the sympa- 
thies of pure, and undefiled religion, and provides an incalculable 
fund of religious enjoyment for those who engage in it. Much of 
God's sovereignty over all things, is displayed in the sick-room. 
His punitive as well as His gracious dealings with men, are dis- 
covered alike in " the chamber where the good man meets his fate," 
and the couch whereon the guilty unbeliever " stretches his weary 
limbs to die." Afflictions spring not from the dust ; and they are 
often forerunners of the grace of God. Many a redeemed and 
happy spirit will have occasion to say — in the pauses of the new 
song in heaven — " It is good for me that I was afflicted." And 
multitudes, while realizing the effects upon their own hearts, of 
ministering to the spiritual wants of the sick, may send back the 
joyful response, " It is better to go to the house of mourning than 
to the house of feasting." It was a pleasure to Mr. Lee to attend 
upon the sick and dying, anxious to comfort them with the comfort 



202 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



wherewith he was comforted of God ; and, amid the scenes of the 
sick-room, he was often refreshed. In a great majority of cases, 
a Christian minister will find that affliction is a Providential path, 
way leading directly to the sinner's heart, and that conscience has 
already opened the door that he may enter, and preach Jesus and 
the resurrection. 

Another field of usefulness upon which Mr. Lee entered with his 
usual avidity and industry, embraced the religious instruction of 
children. At the Conference of 1779, the importance of training 
the children of their people in the way they should go, was a sub- 
ject of deep and earnest inquiry.* The subject was renewed in 
1787 ; and, as if to express the increased interest of the body, the 
record stands, what can we do for the rising generation If At this 
period Sunday Schools were not in existence in America, or were 
exceedingly scarce — and the Conference took this method of bring- 
ing the youth of their fold under the restraining influences of the 
gospel ; and the ministers were required to give their personal and 
especial attention to the religious instruction of children. And 
they were even authorized, so great was their anxiety for the 
young, to supervise, counsel, and assist the parental government. 
If there be a solitary evil accompanying the Sabbath School enter- 
prise, it is to be found in the fact of having broken up the cateche- 
tical classes of the ministry, and excluded them from a direct super- 
vision of the early religious instruction of the lambs # of the fold. 
The rule making it the duty of each minister to form classes among 
the children, was considered preparatory to their introduction into 
the fellowship of the Church ; and shows what the Church then 
considered as the proper termination of a course of instruction for 
children. It was at the Conference from which Mr. Lee was 
appointed to Baltimore, that this rule was adopted ; and, as in 

* " Ques. 11. What shall be done with the children ? Ans. Meet them once 
a fortnight, and examine the parents with regard to their conduct towards 
them." Minutes, 1779. 

t " Ques. 20. What can we do for the rising generation ? 

" Ans. Let the Elders, Deacons, and Helpers, class the children of our 
friends in proper classes, as far as it is practicable, meet them as often as possi- 
ble, and commit them, during their absence, into the care of proper persons, 
who may meet them at least weekly ; and if any of them be truly awakened, 
let them be admitted into Society."' Minutes, 1787. 



THE REV. JESSE LEL. 



203 



everything else of ministerial duty, he entered upon the work of 
forming classes among the children under his pastoral care, very 
soon after taking his place in the city. And it was not long before 
he was permitted to see the good results of the early planting. He 
was made a blessing to many. In September he says : " I met the 
class and was much comforted. I joined two in class, and both of 
them professed to have lately found the Lord. I have observed of 
late that the greater part of the stir has been among the young 
men and boys ; several of them have been awakened and joined 
Society." 

But the labours of Mr. Lee, in the city of Baltimore, compassed 
a wider sphere, and filled a larger space in the public mind. He 
knew that in so populous a place there were multitudes who not 
only knew nothing of Methodism, but were strangely ignorant of 
the whole subject of religion ; and who, caring for none of these 
things, seldom or never attended the ministry of the word. And 
as he desired to warn every man, and to teach every man in all 
wisdom, he resolved to carry the gospel to those who would not 
* come to the house of God to hear it. Accordingly, soon after his 
entrance upon his work, he commenced preaching in the most pub- 
lic places in the city. The first service of the kind was held on 
the Commons, at six o'clock in the evening. The text selected for 
this occasion, and suitable for a promiscuous crowd, was from 
Isaiah, lv. 7. In the account he gives of it he says: "I was 
greatly comforted in speaking, from first to last ; and glory be to 
God ! it was a time of power. Toward the end of the meeting, it 
appeared to me that the Lord was about, to visit every soul with 
his love. It was a melting time, and many silent tears were 
dropped — some of the finely dressed people could not forbear weep- 
ing. We had an amazing large congregation of all ranks, and 
many persuasions. When we broke up and parted, I was greatly 
pleased to see the company walk away so quietly. I came away 
rejoicing in the Lord, and praising God for his presence with us. 
It appeared to me that God was about to revive his work in the 
town." 

He continued preaching on the Commons for nearly two months, 
having on every occasion large and attentive congregations. He 
then went to the Market-house on Fell's Point, and preached to a 



204 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



very large assembly, many of whom were sailors, who otherwise 
might never have heard a sermon, or been warned to flee the 
wrath to come. Yet these men, rude as they proverbially are, 
were respectful and attentive, — uncovering their heads, and re- 
maining as quiet and orderly as if they had entered the sacred 
enclosures of the sanctuary. Again, he transferred his appoint- 
ment to the Market-house on Howard's Hill, and was still fol- 
lowed by curious and interested multitudes. Here, as elsewhere, 
his ministry was effectual in the edifying of the people, and he 
felt assured that the good seed he had sowed would spring up, and 
sooner or later yield an abundant harvest. 

In this way Mr. Lee strove to fulfil his ministry in Baltimore. 
And when it is stated that these efforts on the Commons, and in 
the Market-houses, were superadded to his regular Sabbath services 
in the Church, we shall understand more clearly the extent of his 
labours and the nature of his zeal. He was in labours abundant ; 
and slothfulness formed no part, of his character. Nor will it be 
surprising to discover that upon efforts such as these the Divine 
blessing rested in an eminent degree. The work of the Lord was 
greatly revived, and souls were born from above. 

The year 1787 is gratefully remembered in the Methodist 
history of Virginia, for the most extensive and glorious revival 
of religion that ever occurred in the state. Far surpassing in the 
stretch of its influence, the power of its working, and the number 
of its converts, the gracious revival of 1776, it yet stands 
unrivalled by any subsequent effusion of the Spirit upon the 
Churches of Virginia. The accounts which have come down to 
us of that powerful manifestation of the Spirit, represent it as 
almost miraculous. The materials still extant of that great 
harvest-time, might be easily elaborated into a volume ; and one 
more full of interest, or richer in religious incidents — the effects 
of simple faith, the strong fervours of devotional feeling, the 
efficiency of ministerial effort, and the rapid developement of 
religious principle — could scarcely be placed in the hands of a 
spiritual Christian. But, nearly as it falls in with the plan of our 
work, our limits will not admit of detail. Yet a brief general 
view of the revival, especially in its results, is due to the history 
of the times, and to the character of Mr. Lee, — as it was his 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



205 



pleasure to participate somewhat in the closing periods of the 
work, and as it had a direct influence upon his maturity of grace. 

The Virginia Conference for 1787 was held on the 19th of 
April, at Rough Creek Church, in Charlotte county. Dr. Coke 
and Bishop Asbury were both present. The session was a 
peaceable and useful one. Public service was held three times a 
day ; and " some souls were converted." Here, it is probable, 
the love and zeal of the ministers was powerfully excited, and 
they went out to their work in the true spirit of their Divine 
commission. It was not long before the seed they sowed brought 
forth a joyous harvest. But although the work of the Lord was 
generally revived, its most powerful manifestations seem to have 
been confined to the district over which the Rev. James O'Kelly 
presided. And in this district the most powerful displays of 
spiritual influence were witnessed in the Brunswick, Sussex, and 
Amelia circuits. 

In each of these circuits great multitudes were turned to the 
Lord. In Sussex circuit about sixteen hundred were converted ; in 
Brunswick, about eighteen hundred ; and in Amelia, about eight 
hundred. The actual gain in the membership of the Church in 
these circuits was 2029 whites, and 817 coloured. In the state, 
taking the circuits lying in Virginia for our guide, the gain was 
about 4000. And in the connexion the increase was 11,512. Al- 
though the revival of this year extended through all the fields of 
Methodism, yet its most remarkable characteristics and its greatest 
success seem to have been vouchsafed to Virginia. In its com- 
mencement, progress, and effects, it was extraordinary. It was 
brought about by no array of effort, nor by the concentration 
upon any one point of extra ministerial labour. Nor was it carried 
on by any such means as, in these days of protracted meetings, are 
employed to promote the work of the Lord. Every minister was 
a revivalist, and found full employment in his own peculiar field of 
toil. The work commenced at the ordinary meetings for preaching, 
and when the minister passed on to his regular circuit appoint- 
ments, the work was continued at the prayer-meetings of the laity. 
The Spirit of God seems to have entirely preoccupied the minds 
of the people with the solemn verities of religion, or, on the other 
hand, to have given an amazing energy to the word of the Lord. 



206 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



and to the faith of the people. Strange instances of the superna- 
tural power of both are recorded among the transforming and surpris- 
ing effects of the revival. It was truly an outpouring of the Spirit. 
The Rev. Philip Cox, # who was on the Sussex circuit, in a letter 
to Bishop Asbury, written while the revival was in progress, states 
that while preaching a funeral sermon over a little child, from the 
words: Except ye be converted, .and become as little children, ye 
cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven ; and with a congregation 
of about one hundred persons, " fifty of whom were old professors, 
and out of the other fifty the Lord spoke peace to thirty before we 
broke up the meeting." This occurred when Mr. Cox, having 
hurt one of his legs, had resolved to take a day's rest. But, being 
sent for, he went and preached, although he was compelled to sit on 
a table while dispensing the word of life. j" In the same letter, 
speaking of the Quarterly Meeting at Jones's Chapel, Sussex cir- 
cuit, he says : " Before the Preachers got there, the work broke 
out, so that when we came to the Chapel, above sixty were down 
on the floor, groaning in loud cries to God for mercy. It is thought 
our audience consisted of no less than five thousand the first day, 
and the second day of twice that number. We preached to them 
in the open air, and in the Chapel, and in the barn by Brother 
Jones's house, at the same time. Here were many of the first 
quality in the country, wallowing in the dust with their silks and 
broadcloths, powdered heads, rings, and ruffles, and some of them 
so convulsed that they could neither speak nor stir." At this 
meeting it was " believed that near two hundred whites, and more 
than half as many blacks professed to find him of whom Moses and 
the Prophets did write." 

The revival in the Brunswick circuit was even more powerful 
than it was in Sussex, and the facts which have come down to our 
times of the almost miraculous labours of the Rev. John Easter, his 
strong faith, and his astonishing success, are far more surprising 
than any recorded of those days of the Son of Man. But we may 
not detail them. Yet, respecting the character of the work, it ought 
to be said that convictions for sin were sudden and strong. The 

* Arminian Magazine, vol. ii. 1790, p. 91. 

t The next day Mr. Cox sat in a chair on a table in the woods near Lane's 
Meeting- House, and preached, when " above sixty souls were set at liberty." 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



207 



whole moral nature was wrought upon by deep and powerful emo- 
tions that found expression in confession of sin, and in cries for 
mercy. And conversions were no less sudden and powerful. Sup- 
plications for pardon were quickly succeeded by songs of rejoicing 
and shouts of triumph. Many who came to the house of God care- 
less and scoffing, returned, clothed and in their right minds, with 
new joy in their hearts, and a new pathway for their feet. The 
change was wrought by the power of the Holy Ghost, and its 
genuineness received a thousand attestations in the altered lives, per- 
severing fidelity, and increasing holiness of those who, in that 
gracious effusion of the Spirit, were brought from darkness unto 
light, and from the power of Satan unto God. 

In this great work of grace, many of the immediate familv of 
Mr. Lee were brought into the fellowship of Christ. He had been 
kept well acquainted with the progress of the work by the letters 
of his friends ; and his soul had greatly desired to partake, with 
his brethren, of the toils and joys of the harvest. And before the 
revival had entirely subsided, it was his pleasure to assist in the 
gleanings of the vintage. Early in March 1788, he visited Vir- 
ginia ; and spent the last Sabbath in the month with his friends 
and brethren in Petersburg. Of the labour, effect, and pleasures 
of that day, he thus speaks : 

"Sunday, 30th of March. — Petersburg. At 11 o'clock, I 
preached on Mark viii. 6 : For what shall it profit a man, if he 
shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul ? I had a pretty 
large company, and felt great liberty in speaking, and the hearers 
were much affected; and, frcm the beginning, there were many 
silent tears shed. I felt my soul drawn out in love to God and 
man ; and, before I was done, the power of God was manifested 
among us. One woman dropped down from her seat like a person 
struck dead ; but, in a little while, she was enabled to rise and 
praise a sin-pardoning God aloud ; and many shouted for joy. I 
observed a woman, finely dressed, just at my right hand, who 
trembled and shook as though she had an ague. At length she 
stood up, and I expected every moment to have seen her drop 
down in the place where she stood. In a little time, a young 
woman came and took hold of her, and they both fell down on 
their knees together. The young woman began to pray aloud for 



208 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



the mourner In a little time another young woman came, and, 
kneeling down, prayed with all her might. By this time there 
were several crying aloud, and the house rung with the cries of 
the people, both men and women. I began to weep myself, and 
was forced to stop preaching. In a little time the woman near me, 
for whom the young women were praying, was enabled to arise and 
praise God for having pardoned her sins. Cries and groans were 
heard in every part of the house. I could not help praising God 
aloud among the people. Here were two who professed openly 
that God had pardoned their sins ; and many careless sinners were 
cut to the heart. Such a powerful meeting I have not seen for a 
long time ; and, blessed be God, I not only saw it, but I felt it 
also." 

In the afternoon he preached again to a still larger crowd of 
hearers ; attracted, it is probable, by the fame of the preacher and 
the effects attending the morning service. A few days after this, 
he was at the home of his childhood, rejoicing to find all of his 
father's house, and many of his relatives and friends, partakers of 
the heavenly calling, and full of the joy and peace of believing.* 
Here he received full and interesting details of the good work 
of the Lord ; and he was both surprised and edified by the ac- 
counts of the powerful workings of the Spirit ; powerful in the 
effects on the multitude, and in the changes wrought upon their 
religious feelings and their moral deportment. " They told me," 
he says, " of persons who were quite careless in the morning, and 
perhaps laughing at religion ; bat, going to meeting, they were cut 
to the heart, and dropped down as dead ; and, after lying awhile, 
some perhaps for hours, and others not so long, have leaped up 
and praised God, from a sense of his forgiving love." So mightily 
grew the word of God and prevailed, that, in a few months, thou- 
sands were converted from the error of their ways, and the Church 

* Mr. Cox, in the letter already referred to, records the following fact, as 
having occurred at a meeting at which fifty souls were converted. Among 
these, " three daughters of one Jesse Lee, a Baptist preacher (uncle to Jesse 
Lee, oar preacher), were down on the floor, crying to God to deliver them- 
Their brother came in, and got one of the daughters up to carry her out, swear- 
ing that she should not expose herself there : but before he got her out of the 
house, the Lord exposed him, striking him to the floor, and constraining him to 
cry, £ Save, or I sink into hell !' " 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 20 ( J 

was filied with rejoicing converts. Of the work generally, he 
says : "I have never seen anything more like taking the kingdom 
by violence, than this. I have no doubt but many will say this is 
not of God, for God is not the author of confusion. But I answer, 
it must be of God ; for the people are justified, and many are sanc- 
tified ; and the devil cannot do this. But some will say, So much 
noise cannot be of God : but the Lord has by this means awakened 
and converted many that were careless before. Let the Lord work 
His own way. It is clear that the Lord has His way in the whirl- 
wind. If we could have all the good, without the confusion, if 
such there be, it would be desirable ; but, if not, Lord send the 
good, though it should be with double the confusion. We are too apt 
to say, ' Lord, prosper thy work, by this or that means.' But, if we 
pray for the work to revive, let this be our cry, ' Lord, make use 
of some means to save the people,' and let Him work His own way. 
If souls can be converted, I will be contented." This is a brief but 
comprehensive vindication of the work of the Lord ; such as com- 
mon sense would employ in defence of a subject that scepticism 
only could object to, and such as would satisfy every right-minded 
Christian. The effects produced upon individuals and communities, 
by religious revivals, furnish the best interpretation of their cha- 
racter, and constitute their best defence. The good resulting from 
the sound conversion of one sinner, would consecrate the wildest 
extravagance that might accompany it ; and to save a soul from 
death is a matter of sufficient consequence to justify any effort 
that a Christian man might employ to effect it. A laboured de- 
fence of religious revivals, is a compliment to the selfish principles 
and false reasonings of carnal and worldly men, that a Christian 
ought to be slow to pay. Our fathers, like the Apostles, left the 
altered and holy lives of the converts to vindicate their claims as 
workers together ivith God, and to confute and silence the cavil- 
lings of unreasonable and wicked men. 

Of the good effects of this revival, Mr. Lee was a delighted wit- 
ness, and he had a heart to rejoice with them for the great things 
God had done for them. " I surely have cause to bless and praise 
God," he says, " that I came to Virginia this spring to see my old 
friends. But such a change in any people I never saw. There 
are manv of the young converts that are as bold, zealous, and as 
U 



210 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



solemn as old Christians. There are but few, either men or women, 
boys or girls, but will pray when called upon, and sometimes with- 
out being asked." Such fruits attest the genuineness of the work, 
and demonstrate that the Spirit had been poured out from on high. 
Amidst these hallowing associations and engagements, Mr. Lee 
could have found pleasure for a much longer period than he was 
permitted to stay ; but duty called him away, and after spending 
about a month with these rejoicing converts, he returned to his 
own work, to communicate the comfort of the Holy Ghost through 
the energy of his faithful ministrations. On his return to Baltimore, 
he was blessed in his own work with times of refreshing from the 
presence of the Lord. In carrying out the plans he had previously 
adopted, under the newly-awakened feelings created by his inter- 
course with the happy Christians of Virginia, he found full em- 
ployment and most gratifying success. A revival full of interest, 
and rich in good fruits, crowned his pious efforts to do good. Many 
souls were awakened and converted. And when he closed his 
labours for the year, the revival was still progressing. When he 
entered upon his ministry in Baltimore, there were in Society, 756 
whites, and 196 coloured members. At the Conference of 1788, 
he reported a membership of 950 whites, and 269 coloured ; show- 
ing an increase of the former of 194, and of the latter of 73, a 
clear gain for the year of 267. 

In 1788, seven Conferences were held. Several of these were 
held south of Baltimore'. It was probably owing to this circum- 
stance that the Baltimore Conference met in September, thereby 
making the interval between the Conference of 1787 and that of 
1788, to be sixteen months. The session of Conference for this 
year was held in the city of Baltimore. The revival so success- 
fully going on in Baltimore during the summer, was signally in- 
creased during Conference. On Sunday afternoon, Bishop Asbury 
preached a solemn and affecting sermon in Mr. Otterbein's church, 
and during the closing prayer there was a most powerful manifes- 
tation of the Spirit. Many fell prostrate on the floor, helpless and 
broken-hearted. Many fled from the house in terror ; and multi- 
tudes were attracted to it by strange curiosity, excited by the cries 
of the convicted sinner, and the recitals of those who fled from the 
scene. But the work was of God. The meeting was continued 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



211 



upwards of two hours, and twenty souls found " peace and joy in 
believing." The good work was continued during the week, and 
on the following Sunday fifteen were converted at a meeting in the 
Market-house on Howard's Hill.* 

After the adjournment of the Conference, he attended the Phila- 
delphia Conference, from which he received his appointment for the 
year 1788-9, 

It is in several respects an interesting fact, that during the ses- 
sion of this Conference, the celebrated Dr. Rush visited it, and 
delivered an earnest and animated address on the use of ardent 
spirits, taking the broad ground then so strongly occupied by 
the Conference, and since so signally taken and maintained by 
the Temperance reformation, that total abstinence is no less 
the demand of our nature, than it is the rule of our safety. He 
insisted that allowable cases requiring their use were very few, 
and seldom occurring, and when necessary, but very little ought, 
in any case, to be used; and he besought the Conference to use 
their influence in trying to put a stop to the use, as well as to the 
abuse of ardent spirits. It was a noble effort of a noble philanthro- 
pist. It had the effect of producing fear where great caution had 
long existed. 

From the Conference in Philadelphia, Mr. Lee was appointed to 
the Flanders circuit, lying partly in New Jersey and partly in New 
York. He had during this year, two colleagues, one of them, his 
brother, John Lee, who had accompanied him on his return from 
Virginia in the spring, and was now in the eighteenth year of his 
age, engaged in the ministry of the Lord Jesus. On this circuit 
he had trials of a new kind to encounter. The population was 
composed of materials collected out of nearly every nation — a mass 
almost as heterogeneous as that to which Peter preached on the day 
of Pentecost ; and they were of creeds respecting religion as 
different as the climes that gave them birth. But Calvinism was 
predominant. It was clamorous for " divine decrees," and " imputed 
righteousness." A more formidable barrier could not have been 
placed in the way of a minister solicitous to win souls to Christ. 
Its decrees were repulsive ; its righteousness imparted no joyous 



* Hist. Methodists, pp. 140-141. 



212 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



assurance of acceptance in the Beloved. It could not, therefore, 
be acceptable to Mr. Lee. There was, in his own religious system, 
no affinity for its doctrines ; and in his experience there was no 
identity of interest or feeling with it. The Churches were luke- 
warm, or if zealous, it was for doctrines, and not for graces ; and 
they knew more of Divine sovereignty than of redeeming grace 
and justifying faith. These views were constantly opposing the 
success of his ministry ; and his prayers and preaching were con- 
stantly in collision with them. As a general thing, he only preached 
against the "erroneous and strange doctrine," by the exhibition of 
his own purer faith. But there were times when he entered into a 
formal disputation with it, and opposed it with all the energy and 
skill he could command. On one occasion, he spoke " freely and 
fully against unconditional election and reprobation ;" and he 
" found great liberty in speaking, and the power of God attended 
the Word. Many of the people wept, and some cried aloud." And 
so emboldened did he become by the evidence of Divine approba- 
tion, that he " told them at last that God had taken His oath 
against Calvinism, because He had declared, by the mouth of the 
Prophet : £ As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the 
death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way, and 
live.' On uttering these words," he says, " I felt so much of the 
power of God, that it appeared to me as if the truth of the doc- 
trine was sealed to the hearts of the hearers." 

The following anecdote, which probably occurred on this circuit, 
will show the power of early prejudice, and convey a good idea of 
the zeal of Mr. Lee for truth in opposition to Calvinism. He once 
attended an appointment of a Calvinistic minister, and took his seat 
in the congregation, in front of the pulpit. The minister rose up 
and read his text : Psal. ex. 3, " Thy people shall be made willing 
in the day of thy power." Mr. Lee felt very uneasy. The text 
was slowly and solemnly repeated. It was too much for the Ar- 
minian. He sprung to his feet, and respectfully addressing the 
minister, said: 

" My dear sir, have you not mistaken the text ?" 

The minister, very much surprised, replied that he had not. 

" Will you please read it again ?" said Mr, Lee. 

It was read, and in the same way. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



213 



" Are you quite sure you read it right ?" again asked Mr. Lee. 
" Quite certain of it," was the cool reply. 

" Well, that's very singular ; it don't read so in my Bible," said 
the Methodist lover of free will and free grace, holding up a small 
pocket Bible towards the pulpit, and asking, " Will you be good 
enough to read it once more, and see if the word made is in the 
text?" 

Slowly and surely he commenced reading : — 

" Thy — people — shall — be" — he paused — looked earnestly at the 
words, and read again — " < Thy people shall be willing in the day 
of thy power.' True enough, there's no such word in the text." 
Mr. Lee resumed his seat. The people saw and felt the force of 
the commentary. But the minister did not see how God's people 
could " be willing" unless they were made so by irresistible 
grace ; and he preached the doctrine, the text to the contrary 
notwithstanding. 

The obstacles this forcing theory of Christianity was constantly 
opposing to the success of Mr. Lee, had no inconsiderable influence, 
it is likely, in leading him so publicly and earnestly to seek to ex* 
pose its unscripturalness. But perhaps his zeal for truth was more 
commendable than his mode of pursuing it, at least, in the instance 
above related. 

It cannot be surprising, that, in such a state of society, under 
the influence of such a doctrinal creed, the progress of religion was 
slow. Mr. Lee preached a present salvation, and he always looked 
for present effects ; when, therefore, these did not follow, he found 
little satisfaction in the dull round of ordinary duty. And although, 
under such circumstances, he usually stirred up his heart, and 
multiplied his labours, yet it was not until several months had 
passed away that he saw any fruit of his ministry. In January 
1789, he witnessed the dawnings of a better and brighter day. 
His ministry was more numerously attended, his words seemed to 
sink more deeply into the mind, the congregations were more 
solemn and eager to hear ; and class-meetings and watch-nights, 
and other devotional meetings, were more lively and joyful. He 
and his people were full of hope. The set time to favour Zion was 
come. A gracious work was vouchsafed to the circuit, and con- 
tinued until the period of his departure to Conference in May. In 



214 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



this work of grace, it was a source of great satisfaction to him to 
witness the successful labours of his brother John ; and in the brief 
memoir he subsequently published of his brother, he records his 
faithfulness, and bears a cheerful testimony to his usefulness. 

While on this circuit he received an account of the conversion 
of an Indian woman, which he preserved in his Journal, and which, 
as a singular instance of God's regard to the prayer that goeth 
forth out of the heart, has been thereby preserved for the encour- 
agement of those who seek to be reconciled unto God. It is given 
in his own words. " An Indian squaw, who was awakened some 
years past, when there was a great work among the Presbyterians 
in this part of the world, concluded that God would not hear her, 
because she could not pray in English ; but in the depth of her 
distress she recollected that she could say January and February ; 
and she immediately began to pray, ' January, February,' ' January, 
February,' and repeated the words till her soul was happily con- 
verted." God looketh on the heart — its language, " uttered or 
unexpressed," is understood and answered. 

Mr. Lee closed his labours on Flanders circuit about the middle 
of May 1789, and repaired to New York, where the Conference 
for that year was to be held. His pleasure on this circuit had been 
derived chiefly from his work. The circuit was the least agreea- 
ble he had yet travelled ; but his labours had not been altogethei 
unprofitable and vain ; and he thanked God and took courage, 
hoping to obtain from Conference a better field wherein to plant the 
word of life, from whence he might come again, bringing his sheaves 
with him. He was the first Methodist missionary that went into 
the moral wastes of that now fruitful and happy garden of the Lord, 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



215 



CHAPTER VI. 

FROM THE INTRODUCTION OF METHODISM INTO NEW ENG- 
LAND IN 1789, TO THE SESSION OF THE NEW YORK CON- 
FERENCE IN 1790. 

Conference Boundaries — New England — Mr. Lee appointed to it — Qualifications 
for the Work — State of Religion — " Great Awakening" of 1742 — Mr. Lee in 
Norwalk — A Repulse — His first Sermon — Visits Fairfield — Trials and Com- 
forts — New Haven — Reading — Doctrinal Examination by an Advocate for Dan- 
cing — Stratfield — Success — Forms a Class — Stratford — Unexpected Honours 
— A sad Change — Greenwich — Trials — Opposition a Benefit — Weston — A 
Shot at Calvinism — Two Ministers differently Affected — Anecdote of a Tinker 
— New Haven — A novel Sight — New Town — Reading — Controversy — Forma 
a Class — Conversion of four Men, who became Preachers — Fairfield — Difn' 
culties — Greenfield, and Dr. Dwight— Bridgeport — Singular Introduction or 

. Methodism — Visits Rhode Island — Reinforcements — Farmington — A Dia- 
logue — East Windsor — Crosses and Comforts — Pleasant Fasting — Suffield — 
A Baptist Preacher — Three Dogs — Boston — Preaches on the Common — New- 
buryport — Strange Objection — Tomb of Whitefield — Salem — Returns to Bos- 
ton — Reflections. 

Previous to the General Conference of 1796 there were no pre- 
scribed boundaries to the yearly Conferences. "The Bishop hac|; 
the right of appointing as many Conferences as he thought proper!; 
and at such times and places as he judged best."* Sometimes* 
these Conferences were held within thirty or forty miles of each 
other; and were necessarily composed of only a few ministers, 
with very little business besides reporting the condition of their 
circuits, and receiving their appointments to new fields of labour, j 
It was owing to the fact just mentioned that ministers are so fre- 
quently reported in the earlier records of the Church as, in conse- 
cutive years, receiving their appointments from different Confer- 
ences, even while labouring, during the time, within a very small 
district of country. This arrangement of the^Conferen^ session 
was not satisfactory to the Preachers, and hence, at t he date above 



Lee's Hist. Methodists^p^Ul. 



216 THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 

mentioned , it was abrogate d, and Conference boundaries were de - 
iined, with the chartered right of choosing the place of their ses- 
sion. The Bishop, as now, and very properly, designated the time. 

The Conference from which Mr. Lee received his appointment 
for the year 1789, was held in the city of New York. It com- 
menced on the 28th of May ; but when it ended, or what was 
done, we have not been able to discover.* We have the assurance 
of Bishop Asbury, however, that " all things were conducted in 
peace and order." The fact of a most gratifying increase of the 
work of the Lord, in the city particularly, and of its gradual ex- 
tension through the state, is referred to both by Dr. Coke and 
Bishop Asbury. The latter says : " New England stretcheth out 
the hand to our ministry, and I trust thousands will feel its influ- 
ence." A prayer that at this time is receiving a blessed consum- 
mation. At the clos* of the Conference Mr. Lee was appointed to 
the Stamford circuit, in the state of Connecticut. 

At a very early period of his ministry, the attention of Mr. Lee 
had been very strongly drawn to the moral and spiritual condition 
of New England. During his brief travel with Bishop Asbury in 
x784, in South Carolina, he had held a conversation with a young 
gentleman of Massachusetts respecting the religious peculiarities of 
the people, that so impressed his mind as to induce him to impor- 
tune the Bishop's permission to go and preach a purer faith and a 
more scriptural religion to those who, in his judgment, were sitting 
in spiritual darkness, if not in the shadow of death. With a de- 
sire that experienced no abatement from its inception, he had looked 
for the arrival of the time when he might carry to the dwellers in 
that land of steady habits the sound doctrines of free grace and 
free will ; and engraft, upon the barren stock of imputed righteous- 
ness, the living branches of the gospel — the righteousness which is 

* At some one of the Conferences held during this year, an explanatory 
clause respecting the rule for the trial of members, was adopted, and published 
in the Minutes. The rule required a trial "before the Society, or a select 
number." The explanation was, that thus the Society "might take know- 
ledge, and give advice, and bear witness to the justice of the whole process;" 
and, also, "that improper and private expulsions maybe prevented for the 
future." Appended to the rule, in the edition of the Discipline for 1789, are 
these words: " N. B. From this time forward, no person shall be owned as a 
member of our Church, without six months' trial." 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



217 



of faith, and the indwelling witness of the Spirit. From the origin 
of this desire, every evolution of the wheel of the itinerant system 
had brought him nearer to the fields whereon he was to gain his 
greatest triumphs for Christ, as every returning Conference found 
him increasing in the qualifications, both of mind and heart, ne- 
cessary to a vigorous and successful prosecution of the work. 
There is a Providence that shapes the ends of life, prescribes its 
duties, and presides over its course. The pathway through which 
Mr. Lee had been conducted from his childhood to his entrance in- 
to the ministry, and from thence to the period we are now review- 
ing, indicates the presence of a providential adaptation for some 
more important, but not very remote, change in his labours. From 
this point we can look back at the various circumstances of his 
Christian course, and see how, while they were operating directly 
upon his own religious character, they were also fitting him to 
" endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." The 
abundance, regularity, and efficiency of his previous labours ; his 
steady advancement in knowledge ; the independence and firmness 
of his mind ; the steady and intense warmth of his religious expe- 
rience ; and his heartfelt anxiety to do good " to the souls and bo- 
dies of men," were qualifications at once peculiar to him, and ne- 
cessary constituents in the character of a pioneer of Methodism in 
New England. Some of his contemporaries doubted whether 
Methodism could find a congenial soil among a people so naturally 
cold, and so proverbially calculating. In morals they were sup- 
posed to be in the frigid zone. But Mr. Lee did not agree with 
his contemporaries. The steady sunlight of truth was in his 
mind ; and the fire of a holy love was, as a live coal from the al- 
tar of sacrifice, always burning on his heart. Fie regarded Metho- 
dism as the imbodiment of Christianity, and he believed it, more 
than any other form of religion, adapted to bring sinners to Christ, 
and promote true piety of heart. It was this sense of adaptation, 
operating upon a long-cherished desire, that induced him to offer 
himself as a missionary to a people indurated with doctrinal errors, 
fond of controversy, and alive to creeds and confessions, but dead 
to faith and calling upon God. In addition to what has been al- 
ready said, respecting the qualifications of Mr. Lee for the ardu- 
ous work upon which he was about to enter, the following testi- 



218 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



monial of one of his contemporaries,* yet lingering behind his 
companions, like the last leaf of autumn, is no less true in itself 
than it is just as a tribute to the memory of the Apostle of Metho- 
dism in New England. " AH who knew Mr. Lee will agree that 
he was peculiarly fitted for that work. He possessed uncommon 
colloquial powers, and a fascinating address, calculated in a high 
degree to prepossess the mind in his favour. His readiness at re- 
partee was scarcely equalled ; and by the skilful use of this talent 
he often taught those disposed to be witty with him at his expense, 
that the safest way to deal with him was to be civil. But what 
was of more importance, he was fired with a missionary zeal. 
The truth which made him free he wished to proclaim to others, 
and especially to the inquisitive and enterprising descendants of the 
Pilgrims. He did not doubt but that it would make its way into 
that land of priests, and open a wide field for action and usefulness. 
He was moreover a man of great moral courage, and more than 
ordinary preaching talents. He preached with more ease than any 
other man I ever knew, and was, I think, the best every-day 
Preacher in the Connection. Such was the man who . . . first 
lifted the standard of Methodism in the New England states." We 
shall find, in the course of the succeeding narrative, frequent illus- 
trations of the successful application of the versatile talent here 
attributed to Mr. Lee. 

While on the Flanders circuit the preceding year, Mr. Lee had 
been brought in contact with a great variety of character, and 
almost every principle of religious belief. He was now to enter 
upon his ministerial duties in the midst of a people possessed of 
every shade of opinion, and presenting a complete assortment of 
religious notions, from . the " high mystery of predestination" as 
held by Edwards and the elder Puritans, to the demoralizing and 
destructive tenets of Sandeman."|" Of the mass of those who 

* Rev. T. Ware, Memoir of, pp. 207-8. 

t In a graveyard at Danbury, Mr. Lee copied the following inscription, de- 
scriptive of the belief referred to in the text. " Here lies until the resurrection, 
the body of Robert Sandeman-, a native of Perth, North Britain, who, in the 
face of continual opposition from all sorts of men, long and boldly contended for 
the ancient faith ; that the bare work of Jesus Christ, without a deed, or thought, 
on the part of man, is sufficient to present the chief of sinners, spotless before 
God: to declare this blessed truth, as testified in the Holy Scriptures, he left 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



219 



may be supposed to have been well instructed in the doctrines of 
the gospel, it can scarcely be uncharitable to say they were very 
lukewarm, if not entirely " fallen from grace." " The Great 
Awakening" in 1734, under the ministry of the elder Edwards 
and his contemporaries, was continued with increasing success 
until 1742. The visit of Whitefield during the progress of this 
gracious work, in the fall of 1740, was most opportune, and 
proved of great benefit in promoting it. Immense multitudes 
flocked to his ministry, and the work received a new impulse, and 
was extended to new and distant places. For several years sub- 
sequent to this gracious visitation of spiritual influence, the people 
" walked in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy 
Ghost." But after these years of abundant increase, came years 
of wasting and desolation — a long season of spiritual drought, 
when formalism, the caterpillar of devotion, and controversy, the 
canker-wormf of Christian experience, entered and despoiled the 
vineyard of every green thing within its heritage. Religion, 
originally established by law, was now leaning on the law for its 
support. The ministry, made, by law, independent of the people, 
and thereby divested of a strong, but subordinate, motive for 
faithfulness in their work, were chiefly careful to maintain a 
decent gravity of deportment ; and, as is always the case in such 
a condition of religion, were more watchful to detect an error in 
doctrine, than to correct a defective experience, or to make straight 
and sure paths for the wandering and failing steps of the thought- 
less and profane. With a very general correctness of moral 
conduct, there was a most lamentable departure from those essential 
elements of a true and lively zeal which the faithful preaching of 
Justification by faith, and its concomitant doctrines, had produced 
in the great revival already referred to, and always will produce 
under an evangelical ministry. It was under a series of sermons 
upon this first, last, most comprehensive and effective doctrine of 
the gospel — Justification by faith — preached in Northampton by 
Mr. Edwards, that the awakening took place, and it lasted as long 
as the doctrine occupied a prominent place in the teachings of the 

his country, he left his friends, and after much patient suffering, finished his 
labours at Danbury, 2d April, 1771, aged 53 years." 
* Joel, i. 4. 



220 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



pulpit. It was a temporary departure from the doctrines of grace, 
according to the designation of Calvinism, and a manifest sur- 
render, for the time, of the doctrines of Divine sovereignty, eternal 
election, irresistible grace, and the impotency of the human will, 
to preach that the only way of a sinner's salvation is by simple 
faith in Jesus Christ. But the surrender was made ; and, so long 
as it stood aside and was silent, the true doctrine — the Word of 
God — had free course, and was glorified. But when again the 
" high mystery of predestination" " stood up in the holy place," 
its awful form overshadowed the atonement, and spread the pall 
of death over the way of life and salvation. The cross, with its 
subduing and transforming influences, was removed from its 
position in the system of redemption ; and instead of concentrating 
the heart with its affections, the soul with its hopes, upon Christ — 
the only Saviour of sinners — the pulpit sought to employ the mind 
with a dull and endless speculation upon eternal prescience, and 
the omnipotence of Divine decrees. The effect of such a system 
of religious training might have been easily foreseen. But, 
standing as we are in the presence of its developements, it is the 
duty of the historian, and not of the seer, that must engage our 
attention. The habit of considering doctrines so abstruse and 
intricate, cannot fail to enlarge and strengthen the intellect. And, 
when superadded to even the Common School system of education, 
it will contribute very materially to the social rectitude and moral 
integrity of a people. Such was the character of the New 
England States, at the period of their history now passing under 
review. The people were of grave and orderly deportment, of an 
inquisitive turn of mind, fond of controversy — especially upon 
religious subjects — strict observers of the Sabbath, and devoted to 
their Ecclesiastical government, their modes of faith, and forms 
of worship. Can these dry bones live ? Can a purer faith strike 
its roots into this rocky soil 1 Can a holier covenant, even that 
which blends Divine sovereignty with the freedom of the human 
will, the work of Christ with the faith of a sinner, the grace of 
the Spirit with the testimony of a good conscience, spread its 
branches over a people indurated with elective affinities, and 
trenched behind eternal decrees 1 Come and see. 

The time had come for Mr. Lee to enter upon the mission that 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 221 

had so long occupied his thoughts. He had sought God's direction 
in the undertaking, and he started upon his journey importuning 
the Divine blessing upon his work. He had no hope of success 
apart from the effectual working of the Holy Ghost. On the after- 
noon of the 17th of June, 1789, he reached Norwalk in Connecti- 
cut. He went at once to the residence of a Mr. Rogers, at whose 
house, through a friend, he had solicited permission to preach. 
Mr. Rogers had left home, but left a refusal behind him, which his 
wife was not backward in communicating. " When I came," he 
says, " Mrs. Rogers told me her husband was from home, and was 
not willing for me to preach in his house. I told her we would 
hold meeting in the road rather than give any uneasiness. We 
proposed speaking in an old house that stood just by, but she was 
not willing. I then spoke to an old lady for permission to preach 
in her orchard, but she would not consent, because, she said, we 
would tread the grass down." Foiled in each of these efforts, and 
yet determined to preach, he sent a notice through the village and 
took his stand in the street, and commenced preaching to about 
twenty hearers. His text for the occasion was John hi. 7 : Ye 
must be born again. A subject that at once explains his purpose 
in visiting the country, and furnishes the reason of all his success 
in planting Methodism in a soil so little congenial with its spiritu- 
ality. Of this, his first sermon in New England, he says : " Most 
of the congregation paid particular attention to what I said, and 
two or three women seemed to hang down their heads, as if they 
understood something of the new birth." We have the following 
account of the same sermon, from one who was present as a hearer : 
" When he stood up in the open air, and began to sing, I knew not 
what it meant. I however drew near to listen, and thought the 
prayer was the best I ever heard, though rather short. He then 
read his text, and began in a sententious manner, to address his 
remarks to the understanding and consciences of the people; and 
I thought all who were present must be constrained to say, ' It is 
good for us to be here.' All the while the people were gathering 
he continued this mode of address, and presented us with sucli a 
variety of beautiful images, that I thought he must have been at 
infinite pains to crowd so many things into his memory. But when 
he entered upon the subject-matter of his text, it was such an easy 



222 THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 

natural flow of expression, and in such a tone of voice, that I could 
not refrain from weeping ; and many others were affected in the 
same way. When he was done, and w T e had an opportunity of 
expressing our views to each other, it was agreed that such a man 
had not visited New England since the days of Whiteneld. I heard 
him again, and thought I could follow him to the ends of the 
earth."* At the close of the service, Mr. Lee gave notice, that he 
would preach at the same place on that day two weeks. But the 
people were so pleased with his sermon, they requested him to 
meet at the town-house the next time. To this arrangement he 
readily consented. It would seem, however, that with all the plea- 
sure derived from his sermon, none of his hearers felt free enough 
to invite him to partake of the hospitality of their houses. The 
closing notice of this occasion indicates that his only welcome was 
such as is excited by the expectation of gain — " who knows but I 
shall yet have a place in this town where I may lay my head." 
This, however, was a small matter with Mr. Lee. In the fullest 
sense of the words, he could say with the Apostle, " I seek not 
yours, but you." And he was but too happy if he might impart 
unto them his spiritual things, irrespective of any carnal return. 

Having made his arrangement for regular preaching in Norwalk, 
he departed early the next morning, and rode to Fairfield. Here, 
while seeking permission to preach in the Court-House, he was, in 
two instances, asked if he had a liberal education, and with his 
characteristic shrewdness replied, to both of his interrogators, that he 
had nothing to boast of, though he believed he had enough to carry 
him through the country ! After securing the Court-House, under 
the assurance that no one would come to hear him preach, and 
waiting until after the time appointed, with a very good prospect of 
realizing the truth of the assurance, he went and opened the house, 
and sat down to wait the issue with all the patience he could sum- 
mon to his aid. " At length," he says, " the schoolmaster and 
three or four women came ; I began to sing, and in a little time 
thirty or forty collected." To this company he preached on Rom. 
vi. 23 : For the ivages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal 
life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. A deep solemnity sat on the 

* This is copied from Mem. of Rev. T. Ware, pp. 208-9, who obtained it 
horn, the individual himself. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



223 



faces of the people, and they were ready to say, — " we never heard 
it after this fashion." On reaching Fairfield, he had stopped at a 
tavern. His landlady was one of his hearers, and her heart, like 
Lydia's, seems to have been opened. He prayed with her family 
that night ; and the next day, she not only refused to receive any 
remuneration, but insisted on his calling again on his next visit to 
the place. On his departure she begged him to call on her sister, 
Mrs. Wheeler, a few miles distant from Fairfield, and gave him a 
letter of introduction. Here he found a few "■ prepared of the 
Lord" whose hearts were rejoiced to see him. They were waiting 
for the consolation of Israel, and lo, God had sent his servant to 
guide them in the way of peace. He learned from this lady that 
there " were a few that met once a week to sing and pray together, 
but they were much discouraged by their elder friends, and that 
they had been praying for some one to come and instruct them." 
It is not surprising that they believed God had sent his servant " to 
teach them the way of the Lord more perfectly." He preached for 
them, and from subsequent conversation was convinced that a good 
work was commenced in their hearts — one, he believed, had been 
" born anew of the Spirit." The Rev. Mr. Black, one of Mr. Wes- 
ley's Missionaries in Nova Scotia, had passed through and preached 
in this neighbourhood some years previous to this visit of Mr. Lee, 
and to this he ascribes the religious awakening he found among 
the people. 

Leaving these earnest seekers after " the good and the right 
way," he pursued his journey, and on Saturday, the 20th, arrived 
in New Haven. On Sunday afternoon he preached in the Court- 
House on Amos v. 6 : Seek ye the Lord, and ye shall live. A 
sudden storm prevented all, but a few, females from attending, but 
a large number of men were present. Among these he mentions 
the President of the College, and many of the students, and one 
Congregational minister. He spoke as if fully persuaded God would 
open the hearts of the people by the discourse. The people paid 
great attention, and, as seems to have been a very common prac- 
tice, freely expressed their satisfaction. Indeed, they praised and 
censured according as they liked or disliked the character of his 
sermons, and the doctrines he preached. 

He next visited Reading. Here he was invited to stay at the 



224 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



house of Mr. Bartlett, a Congregational minister. But he had to 
undergo an examination relative to the doctrines he preached, and 
was then informed that he could not be invited to preach in " the 
meeting-house, because he held doctrines," as the minister thought, 
" contrary to the gospel." He was neither surprised nor offended 
at the refusal to grant what had not been solicited. He however 
obtained permission to preach in the school-house. And he 
preached with gracious freedom from Isa. lv. 6 : Seek ye the Lord 
while he may be found, &c. The old minister, at whose house he 
lodged, was a great advocate for dancing, although he did not prac- 
tise it himself. In this the old minister, unless he plead the infirmi- 
ties of age as an obstacle, was very inconsistent, for surely it could 
not have been wrong in him, if it was right in others ; and he 
ought not to have recommended others to do what he was unwilling 
to do himself ! 

At Stratfield, on the 3d of July, he preached in the house of 
Deacon Hawley, to as many as could be crowded into the house. 
He had great satisfaction in preaching ; and the word of the Lord 
seemed to have free course. He found some earnest worshippers 
at this place. About a dozen of them were in the habit of meet- 
ing together once a week, for religious conversation and prayer. 
Some of these belonged to the Church of England, and others 
were Congregationalists. They requested Mr. Lee to meet with 
them in the evening of the day on which he preached ; to which 
he consented, and converted the meeting into a class-meeting — 
somewhat to the surprise, but greatly to the edification of those 
who were present. At its close, some of them thanked him for 
his good advice, and begged to be remembered in his prayers. And 
the Deacon's wife communicated the gratifying intelligence that 
some of them intended to enter into the fellowship of the Methodist 
Church. It was in Stratfield that the first Methodist Society was 
formed in New England. This important event in the religious 
history of Connecticut took place on the 26th of September, 1789. 
On this occasion he had preached, at night, on John x. 27 : My 
sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow- me. In 
this sermon, as he had been frequently accused of net " preaching 
his principles," he determined to introduce that sound doctrine, 
peculiar to the Methodists, the possibility of falling from grace. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



225 



He spoke at length upon the subject, and was listened to with pa- 
tient attention. He then held a kind of class-meeting, and spoke 
to about twenty persons ; after which, he notified them of his pur- 
pose to establish a Society in the place. "The next morning, 
three women joined in class, and appeared willing to bear the 
cross, and have their names cast out as evil, for the Lord's sake." 
With this little Society, he often had sweet seasons of religious 
joy. Engaged as he was in opening the way of Methodism into 
new places, he had but little opportunity of enjoying those means 
of grace so common among his brethren, and so refreshing to a 
spiritual mind. It is not surprising, therefore, to find his soul 
swelling with holy rapture when, some nine months after the event 
just recorded, he was permitted again to meet this little class in 
the true fellowship of Christian love. On this occasion he writes : 
" J met the class, and found a sweet sense of the love of God in 
my soul, while the people were telling of the love of God to them. 
O ! how I love the Methodists ! I have not seen a class-meeting 
for nearly three months ; I often feel a wish to be always among 
the Methodists; and yet I am content to go before, and try and 
open the way for others to follow. Lord Jesus, go with me to the 
ends of the earth, and save me from sin to the end of my life. 
Amen and amen !" 

Previous to the formation of the Society in Stratfield, much had 
been said to prejudice the people against the Methodists, and to 
prevent the success of Mr. Lee, in the ministry of reconciliation. 
A great deal of evil was circulated respecting the character of the 
Methodists and the nature of their doctrines. Preachers and peo- 
ple were excited and alarmed. The pulpit opened its mouth, and 
soundly belaboured what its minister called the " damnable princi- 
ples" of Methodism.* In their imaginations, they already saw 
their large and flourishing society uprooted, and Methodism se- 
curely resting upon its foundations ; and all this, as the man of 
their fears rather sarcastically expresses it, because two women 
talk of joining our Society! It was not without good reason that 

* Some time subsequent to this, one of these ministers informed his congre- 
gation that there were "six hundred Methodist Preachers going through the 
country, preaching damnable doctrines, and picking, men' s pockets.'' 1 The pas* 
sions of this man must have been greatly excited ! 

15 



226 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



he added, " Surely, if these people knew that God was on theii 
side, they would not fear so much." 

The next day, July 4th, under a variety of strange and perplex- 
ing temptations, he went to Stratford. He felt a strong desire to 
"pass by on the other side," and not open his commission there. 
But he resisted the temptation and went, and found less difficulty 
than usual in procuring a place to preach. Indeed, they rung the 
Church bell,* and insisted on his going into the meeting-house to 
preach. But he declined, and held the meeting in the town-house. 
His text was, Eph. v. 1 : Be ye folloioers of God as deo.r chil- 
dren. He mentions, as somewhat out of the ordinary course of 
things, the fact of being invited to a private house after preaching : 
" When I was done, Mr. Curtis came to me, and asked me to go 
and lodge with him, and wished me to make it my home. Another 
said he would conduct me to the house, and taking me by the hand, 
he walked all the way by my side. I don't know," he adds, " that 
I have had so much kindness showed to me in a new place, since 
I came to the state." It is an unfortunate fact, but historical verity 
requires it to be told, that this " milk of human kindness," that so 
delighted Mr. Lee, so far from yielding a rich and generous cream, 
had, by the time of his next visit, curdled and turned sour. He 
says, he " rode to Stratford, and put up at Solomon Curtis' as 
usual. When I went in his wife did not ask me to sit down. Her 
husband came in and spoke to me, but did not appear so friendly 
as formerly. At dark, I asked Mrs. C. if her husband was going 
to meeting? She said ' she guessed not.' So I went to the town- 
house alone, and was hard put to it to get a candle, but I bless 
God, I felt quite resigned, and not ashamed to own my Lord. 
After preaching, I returned to Mr. C.'s, and found he had but little 
to say. He went to prayer without saying anything to me, and 
then I waited to see if he would ask me to go to bed. After some 
time he got up, and asked me to cover up the fire when I went to 
bed !" Now that was scurvy treatment. But it did not disturb 
the quiet serenity of Mr. Lee's mind. His only remark upon the 

* Mr. Lee, throughout this part of his narrative, makes a distinction between 
Church and Meeting-House : The former denotes the Church of England, the 
latter Congregationalism. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



227 



subject exhibits his own equable temper, and constitutes a severe 
but just reflection upon the prejudice and bigotry of those among 
whom he had gone preaching the Kingdom of God. " I often 
wonder," he says, in noting this ill-treatment in his Journal — " I 
often wonder that I am not turned out of doors ! !" The only rea- 
son for this exhibition of unkindness is to be traced to the fact that 
Mr. Lee believed in the possibility of falling from grace! Mr. 
Curtis differed with him ; and therefore felt at liberty to show the 
exuberance of his own gracious feelings, by an act of deliberate and 
graceless maltreatment of a Christian brother ! This specimen of 
Antinomian spitefulness did not succeed, however, in forcing Mr. 
Lee from the house at that late hour of the night, nor did it stop 
without a further manifestation of its selfishness. It kept him in 
bed till a late hour the next morning, and then he suffered the man 
of God to depart " without family prayer or breakfast." With our 
knowledge of Mr. Lee's simple independence of character, we can 
only account for his submission to such treatment upon the suppo- 
sition that he hoped for an opportunity of bringing his erring bro- 
ther to a better sense of his duty as a man and a Christian. 

A few days after this humiliating affair, and with a very imma- 
terial variation in his reception, he preached in Greenwich. He 
made " no appointment for a second visit, for no one desired it." 
" The Priest and Deacon of the place," to use his own words, 
have " taken much pains to convince the people of the evil of letting 
me preach in the parish ; and withal they told the people that if 
the society is broken up, they must bear the blame. Poor priests ! 
they seem like frightened sheep whenever I come near them. 
There are about forty-five of them in the bounds of my two weeks, 
circuit, and the general cry is, ' the societies will be broken up.' " 
There must have been a very strong sense of the weakness of their 
cause, and the insufficiency, if not the unsoundness of their doc- 
trines, to have produced a fear of disruption so very general and 
alarming. But, as if private efforts were found too feeble to coun- 
teract the success of Mr. Lee in turning the attention of the people 
from the flatteries of a quiet Antinomianism to the active obedi- 
ence of justifying faith, the pulpit must open its mouth in warning 
against the Preacher, and in denunciation of his doctrines. It be- 
came a somewhat common practice to occupy the Sabbath with 



223 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



sermons intended to foresral the usefulness of this pioneer of a 
purer faith among the decaying Churches of New England. But, 
as is nearly always the case, this opposition turned out to " the 
furtherance of the gospel." The prejudiced attacks of the pastors 
only had the effect upon the minds of the people of creating a 
greater anxiety to hear and judge for themselves. They brought 
larger congregations to his ministry, and predisposed the hearts of 
the people for, at least, a charitable examination of the points at 
issue between the parties. And when, under the influence of such 
feelings, they gave heed to the word of the gospel as he preached 
it, the issue was decidedly adverse to the principles in which they 
had been trained. These oppositions were not courted by Mr. 
Lee, nor did he shun them. It was rather a ground of rejoicing 
that he was counted worthy of suffering for the sake of Christ. 

Within a few days after his adventure in Greenwich, he preached 
in Weston, to a very crowded congregation. He attributed the 
size of the congregation to the fact that, on the two preceding Sab- 
baths, the minister had preached against him. The people heard 
him with great attention. And he records it as a fact of which he 
seems to have had a large experience, — " I generally find, in this 
state, when I am most opposed, I have most hearers. The Lord 
seems to bring good out of evil. If my sufferings will tend to the 
furtherance of the gospel, I think I feel willing to suffer. But if I 
had no confidence in God, and as many to oppose me, I believe I 
should soon leave these parts. But once in a while I meet with 
something to encourage me, and by the grace of God I stand." 
And he might have added, if I had as little confidence in the truth 
and stability of the doctrines I preach, as those who oppose me 
have in theirs, I should quit preaching them altogether ! On a 
subsequent visit to this place he preached from Matt. xxii. 14: For 
many are called, but few are chosen. The opposing ministers 
generally accused him of concealing his principles, because for the 
most part his discourses were on Christian experience and practical 
duties. On this occasion he had an unusually large number of 
hearers, and among them two ministers — a Baptist and a Congre- 
gationalism the former sitting at his side, the other just before him. 
Under these circumstances he stated and defended these propositions, 
as the doctrine of the text : I. That all men are called to forsake 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 229 

their sins. II. That with this call, the gracious power of obedience 
is given to the sinner. And III. That men are called before they 
are chosen. This was a point-blank shot at Calvinism, and took 
effect in the very centre of its creed, if we may judge from the 
effects upon its defenders who were present. They were ill at ease 
during the sermon ; and at its close, betrayed their dread of its 
influence. The Baptist minister started up, and immediately com- 
menced an attack upon the Preacher ; the Congregationalist reached 
the door with a bound, turned, and gave notice that " he should set 
himself in order against the next Sabbath-day to expose the errors 
the people had just heard." The former was rebuked and silenced 
by two old men who were present ; the latter was suffered to de- 
part as quietly as his own hasty spirit would allow. An incident 
that occurred soon after this will serve, in some measure, to show 
the impression made by the sermon on the minds of the people. 
A tinker came to Weston in search of work; and, on inquiring into 
the probability of finding employment in the place, was told that the 
Methodists were likely to beat a hole through the Saybrook Plat- 
form, and if he could mend that, and could stay long enough, he 
might be employed. Another proof of the good produced by this 
discourse of Mr. Lee, is seen in the fact that he soon had more 
invitations to preach than he could possibly accept ; and a great 
many strong and warm-hearted friends were secured to the cause 
he was labouring to establish. 

There is sunlight as well as shade in the history of these efforts 
to plant Methodism in the cold and sterile soil of Connecticut. Mr. 
Lee was sometimes the subject of kind, and even brotherly treat- 
ment. He could well appreciate these evidences of good feeling, 
although he did not allow them to interfere with his zeal and faith- 
fulness. He knew his own duties, and felt all the responsibilities 
of his position. It was under the influence of pure motives, and 
after mature deliberation, that he undertook to spread scriptural 
holiness among the descendants of the Pilgrims ; and he had too 
much confidence in the truth and sufficiency of the gospel, to be 
turned aside from his path by the opposition of unreasonable and 
wicked men. After all, it was by faith he stood, and by grace he 
was strengthened and kept. A believer in the promise — " My 
presence shall go with thee" — he was always looking for proofs of 



230 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



the presence and power of God, and as these were mercifully 
vouchsafed, so he rejoiced to acknowledge every manifestation of 
Divine assistance, whether in the experience of his own heart, or 
in the effect of his ministry upon others. " I bless God," he writes 
" that He yet keeps my spirits up under all my discouragements. 
If the Lord did not comfort me in hoping against hope, or believing 
agginst appearances, I should depart from the work in this part of 
the world ; but I still wait to see the salvation of the Lord." And 
he did see it ! 

On Sunday, the 5th of July, in the afternoon, he was again in 
New Haven. His appointment was in the State-House ; but, after 
the ringing of the bell, some of the influential men insisted on his 
going to the Meeting-House, and he consented. He preached on Job 
xxii. 21 : Acquaint note thyself with Him, and he at peace, &c. 
On this occasion, he preached with considerable freedom of 
thought and feeling, and there was some manifestation of interest 
and feeling among the people. He believed the word had reached 
their hearts, and he was encouraged. Among his hearers, he 
mentions " two Congregational ministers, Mr. Austin, the minister 
of the house, and Dr. Edwards, son of the former President of 
Princeton College." After preaching, he says : " Some told me 
they were much pleased with the discourse ; but no man asked me 
home with him." He returned to the tavern — he vjas sure of a 
ivelcome there! He felt himself at once placed too remote from 
the people for practical usefulness ; but he knew the hearts of all 
men were in the hand of God, and he retired to his room to draw 
nigh to Him in prayer for His blessing, and for access to the hearts 
of the people. It was not in vain. His soul was refreshed, and 
he arose from his knees, satisfied that God had sent him to the 
place, and that his way would be opened to the families of the 
people. He desired this solely because of its importance to the 
success of his mission among them. It was but a little while after 
leaving his closet, before a gentleman came to take him to his 
house, and gave him the freedom of it whenever he might visit the 
place ! At the house of this gentleman he saw what was a novel 
sight to him, but was not uncommon to the times or the people 
among whom he was labouring. It was on Sunday, yet " after 
dark, a young woman got her work and sat down to knitting. I 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



231 



was, indeed, much astonished at this, and spoke to her about it. 
They told me it was customary for the Congregational ists through- 
out the state to commence the Sabbath on Saturday evening, and 
continue it until sunset on Sunday." This may have satisfied him 
as to the custom ; but he must have believed there was " a more 
excellent way." 

At New Town, on the 7th of July, at the request of the people, 
he preached in the Meeting-House. The discourse was founded on 
Mark viii. 36 : For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the 
whole world, and lose his own soidl He supposed there were 
more persons present than ordinarily attended on the Sabbath. It 
was a plain and pointed discourse on the loss of the soul. He 
spoke at length and with earnestness upon " the torments of the 
damned" — their awful punishment, and its abiding duration ! It 
was, perhaps, not usual for the people to listen to such subjects, or 
to have them treated in a style so ardent and affectionate. But, in 
obedience to the rule of his Church, Mr. Lee first tried to adapt 
his subject to his congregation, and then to cleave to his text, and 
" make out what he took in hand." It was with reference to the 
character of his sermon for warning, that, in a brief notice of it, he 
says: "I did not give them velvet-mouth preaching, though I had 
a large velvet cushion under my hands." 

During his first visit to Reading, Mr. Lee stopped at the house 
of the Rev. Mr. Bartlett, although he was denied the liberty of 
preaching in the Meeting-House. On his next visit to the place, 
July the 8th, the people importuned the minister to allow him to 
occupy his pulpit. This he refused ; but was very anxious for Mr. 
Lee to " take a text and preach his principles fully." This was 
declined, for the reason that he did not believe a controversial ser- 
mon would be so conducive to the glory of God, and the spiritual 
good of his hearers, as one on the subject of practical godliness. 
Finding he could not engage Mr. Lee in a fruitless controversy, he 
rather abruptly introduced and denied the doctrine of Christian 
perfection, as either a duty of religion or a privilege of experience. 
The reply to this was in a form that expressed a doubt whether 
any " religious man could say there is no perfection in this life ; 
for, to deny perfection, was to deny the Bible and all revealed reli- 
gion." The addition of several passages of Scripture effectually 



232 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



silenced the minister, and left Mr. Lee in full possession of the 
field. He says, his sermon on the possibility of being suddenly 
changed from a state of sin to a state of grace, gave great offence. 
At his next visit to this place, if he did not preach his own princi- 
ples fully, he did not spare those of his opposers. " I did not spare 
Calvinism," he writes, " but bore a solemn testimony against the 
doctrine which prevails in this part of the world, which in sub- 
stance is this : ' The sinner must repent, and can't repent ; and he 
will go to hell if he don't repent ;' or, as a lawyer expressed it in 
my hearing, ' You must believe, or be damned ; and you can't be- 
lieve, if you are to be damned.' But," he adds, " some of these 
people begin to see that something must be done before justifica- 
tion ;* though some of the preachers teach that a sinner cannot 
repent until he is born again." After witnessing the effects of 
such teaching upon the people, it is not surprising that Mr. Lee 
should pray — "From this doctrine, good Lord, deliver us!" 

After preaching in this place for several months, the seed* took 
root and gave back its ripe fruit to the sower. The opposition to 
his ministry was greatly increased, but this only served to strengthen 
his confidence and augment his zeal. u The Lion begins to roar 
very loud in this place," he says, " a sure sign that he is about to 
lose some of his subjects." Under date of the 28th of December, 
1789, he writes : " I joined two in Society for a beginning ; a man 
who has lately received the witness of his being in the favour of 
the Lord, led the way, and a woman, who I hope was lately con- 
verted, followed. Glory be to God! I now begin to see some 
fruit of my labour in this barren part of the world ; several in this 
place feel the want of a Saviour." For some time these two stood 
alone, " persecuted but not forsaken, cast down but not destroyed." 
Very soon after the formation of this Society, the minister of the 
place set himself in violent opposition to the Methodists, cautioning 
the people against hearing them preach, — but they did not take his 
advice, as Mr. Lee judged from the multitude that came to hear 
him, the day after they received the caution ! In a few months 
the Societv was increased, and four of its members became minis- 

* By this expression, as is evident from its contrast with the system he was 
opposing, Mr. Lee intends only to say that repentance and faith necessarily pre- 
cede the justification of a sinner. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE 



233 



ters of the manifold grace of God. It is a singular fact that, when 
Mr. Lee first visited Reading, these four individuals, one of whom 
was a lawyer, were personal friends, in habits of unrestrained inti- 
macy, and accustomed to entertain each other with expensive feasts. 
Hearing of Mr. Lee's intention to preach, they went to the place, 
more, it seems, for the gratification of an idle curiosity than for 
any other reason, unless it mingled with a purpose to find some 
new stimulant for the mirth of their social intercourse. On their 
way to the place, one of them said, " Mr. Methodist, you would not 
come here to preach, if you knew whom you had to preach to." 
When they saw the Preacher, another said, " he looked like a good- 
natured fellow, but guessed he did not know much." After he had 
been preaching awhile, a third said he did know something ; then, 
he knew as much as their own minister ; presently, he knew more ; 
and finally, their minister knew nothing ; and they verily believed 
their minister had reached the same conclusion with themselves. 
The word of God had taken such effect on the hearts of these men, 
that they were not only satisfied that they had never heard any- 
thing on this fashion before, but felt that they knew nothing as they 
ought to know. They were convinced of their ungodliness, re- 
solved to forsake their evil ways, and lead new lives ; and were 
soon and happily brought to a realization of God's power to save, 
entered into the fellowship of His people, and became preachers of 
the righteousness of faith. It deserves also to be mentioned that 
the family of Mr. Sanford, the first member of the Methodist Church 
in Reading, has been greatly blessed of God. Most of his children 
have been made partakers of like precious faith with their father ; 
and one son and three grandsons have been called of God to 
preach all the words of this life to guilty and dying men.* 

On the 29th of July, he was again in Fairfield ; and preached 
on John v. 40, to a larger congregation than had yet waited on his 
ministry in the place. For this, as in other places, he was indebt- 
ed, in part, to the public opposition of the minister. His only 
notice of this hostility was in the utterance of the opinion that he 
might give them yet greater cause of complaint, as he intended to 

* These facts are given upon the authority of the author of " The Supernu- 
merary; or, Lights and Shadows of the Itinerancy," in the Christian Advocate 
and Journal. New York, December 27, 1843. 



234 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



continue his visits, and to form a Church, if, from the success of 
his ministry, there should be occasion to do so. The probability 
of such an event had taken such hold upon the fears of the peo- 
ple, that one of them asked him if the formation of a Methodist 
Society was no + the particular object of his preaching in the place 'I 
Mr. Lee was not a man to conceal a matter of this kind, and 
although he was sensible of the opposition it might produce, he 
nevertheless met the question with a prompt and open-hearted re 
ply : "I told him my particular object was to call sinners to re- 
pentance ; but if the Lord blessed my labours among the people, 
and they desired to join us, I could not forbid them." This was 
honest, but (and the fact will serve to show the nature of the op- 
position he had constantly, and in every place, to meet) it well- 
nigh cost him the loss of his home in the place. Of his next 
appointment, he writes : " Some of the inhabitants seemed to be 
afraid to hear (though present), because the minister does not like 
my coming among them. Even the tavern-keeper and his wife, 
where I always put up, made an excuse to leave home before I 
came, and, as I understood, because the minister complained of 
them for entertaining me !" At the same time another complaint 
was lodged against him. The women complained that he preached 
so loud it made their heads ache ! and they wished him to speak 
a little lower the next time he came. Perilous times had indeed 
come. Minister, men, women, all against the itinerant evangelist ! 
But he received the communication with the gravity of a philoso- 
pher, and, with the meekness of a Christian, replied — " I hope God 
will help me hereafter to speak so as to make their hearts ache !" 
And yet, at the expiration of half-a-year, he was praying for " seals 
to his ministry in Fairfield — a jioor hardened place." It forms a 
striking illustration of the social habits of the people that, after 
preaching there for six or seven months, he records, with gratitude, 
and as an indication of good, the fact of being invited to the house 
of " a widow woman/' It was the first invitation he had received ! 
Nor is it a less forcible illustration of his own character that, in 
connexion with this humiliating proof of the selfishness of the people, 
and under all the discouragements it implies, his own heart was 
cheerful and contented. " I love to break up new ground, and 
seek the lost souls in New England," he writes, in immediate con- 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



235 



flexion with the notice of the widow's invitation, " although it is 
hard work : But when Christ is with me, hard things are made 
easy, and rough ways are made smooth." Some months later, in 
speaking of a sermon preached in Fairfield, he, says : " The Lord 
was in our midst, and the hearts of some were touched ; they were 
constrained to hang their heads and weep." An old man gave 
him credit on this occasion for " preaching just as their ministers 
used to preach when they were lively in religion." Another as- 
sured him he would never lack hearers, if he continued to preach 
as he had done heretofore. In the midst of a profusion of com- 
pliments it was his sincere' prayer to " be kept humble when es- 
teemed, and faithful when despised." 

In Greenfield, on Thursday, the 30th of July, Mr. Lee called on 
Doctor D wight, at his school, and conversed with him upon the 
expediency of preaching in the place, and whether or not he could 
obtain a house to preach in. But the ardent desire of his heart to 
call sinners to repentance found no corresponding sympathy in the 
breast of the Doctor. He had no house to offer, and no encou- 
ragement to extend to the system of doing good in which Mr. Lee 
was engaged. Yet he notified Mr. Lee that if he preached in the 
place he should come to hear him, not to countenance his efforts 
in saving sinners, but to see if there was anything wrong in his 
doctrines or his measures, that he might the more successfully 
oppose its success among the people. Such is the spirit that 
everywhere withstood the Apostle of Methodism in New England. 

A singular incident is connected with the introduction of 
Methodism into Bridgeport, which goes very far to confirm the 
impression of Mr. Lee that he was providentially designated for 
the work upon which he had entered in Connecticut. One after- 
noon a Mrs. Wells was at the house of her neighbour, Mrs. 
Wheeler, taking tea ; and stated that during the preceding night 
she had dreamed that a man rode up to a house in which she was, 
got off his horse, took his saddle-bags on his arm, and walking 
directly into the house, said, " I am a minister of the gospel of 
Jesus Christ, and I have come to preach to the people of this place. 
If you will call your neighbours together, I will preach to them 
to-night." She moreover said, that she retained so vivid and perfect 
a recollection of the man's face and general appearance, that she 



286 T H K LIFE A K D T I M E S OF 

should certainly know him if she should ever see him. She then 
entered into a particular description of the preacher she had seen 
in her dream. While she was yet speaking, she looked through 
the window, and exclaimed, " Why, there is the man now !" And 
it -A T as so. Mr. Lee rode up, dismounted, took his saddle-bags on 
his arm, entered the house, and addressing himself to the women, 
said, " I am a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have come 
to preach to the people of this place. If you will call your neigh- 
bours together, I will preach to them to-night." He was welcomed 
to the house ; and that night preached the first sermon ever deli- 
vered in that part of Connecticut by a Methodist preacher. The 
house stood on what was then called Mutton Lane, and Mr. Lee, 
in relating the circumstance, would sometimes say, he preached in 
a house in Mutton Lane, and the Lord gave him three ewe lambs — 
two of these were Mrs. Wells and Mrs. Wheeler.* This incident 
is no less striking as an exhibition of ministerial fidelity and perse- 
verance, than it is remarkable as another instance of that super- 
natural agency which has presided over the progress of the gospel 
from the beginning. Let the fact as to the dream be admitted, and 
it does not challenge a reasonable doubt, and it cannot be accounted 
for except by a recurrence to the truly spiritual dispensation 
under which we live. In all the essential particulars there is no 
real difference between this case and that of St. Paul, when he was 
invited to " come over into Macedonia." In both, " God spoke in a 
dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon man." 

The preceding notices will suffice to show the nature of Mr. 
Lee's labours on this circuit, and the character of the opposition 
and the trials he had to endure. The)- might be multiplied, but 
they would swell the work into a magnitude that would prevent a 
just regard to the concurrent history of the Church. And be- 
sides, we shall have to recur to similar transactions in noticing 
Mr. Lee's progress in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine, 
and also in Rhode Island and Vermont ; for, in these several 
states, he was the pioneer of Methodism. Nor, perhaps, will it 
tend to edification, to show how in one place he, in common with 
his brethren, was represented as a false prophet — one of the very 

* This account is copied from an. editorial letter of the Rev. T. E. Bond, in 
the Christian Advocate and Journal. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



237 



class that should come in the last days ; or, in another, that he 
preached for three months without being invited to a house, or 
even forming an acquaintance with an individual ; or how, after 
preaching to a large congregation, in another, he was left to seek 
shelter where he could find it, and rode through a storm, with, to 
use his own words, " my soul transported with joy, the snow 
falling, the wind blowing, prayer ascending, faith increasing, 
grace descending, heaven smiling, and love abounding." In the 
presence of such a man, with such a spirit, opposition was utterly 
ineffectual. Hunger and thirst, cold scorn, and insulting neglect, 
could not move him from his purpose. A priesthood, entrenched 
behind special legislation, and conscious of their power ; a people 
leavened with Antinomianism, and full of disputation ; could not 
quench the fire of his love, nor resist the power of his words. 
He went to plant the tree of Methodism in the sterile soil of New 
England, — and he did it, and thousands of happy souls have found 
shelter and comfort under its branches. 

In the month of September 1789, Mr. Lee made an excursion 
into Rhode Island, and preached in several places. He found 
pious people during this brief visit, who cordially received him, 
and gave earnest heed to his preaching. At one place he met 
with a congregation of Seventh-day Baptists, whose singular mode 
of worship, though surprising, was not offensive to his mind, nor 
without a good effect upon his feelings. After closing his sermon 
at Charleston, he says : " They began according to their custom ; 
and after singing, one said, ' Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there 
is liberty ; and now you are all at liberty to speak.' So they 
began to speak, one at a time ; and several spoke, both men and 
women, during the evening. In the first place they generally 
gave an account of their feelings, and the state of their souls ; and 
would then express their sentiments respecting the sermon ; and 
observed they believed God had sent me to preach to them ; and 
exhorted all the people, as well as the preacher, to go on in the 
ways of the Lord ; and sometimes they would call aloud, < O, my 
neighbour (calling the person by name), come to the Lord Jesus 
Christ.' And at other times, ' O, my brother ! don't you feel for 
poor sinners?' All this they sung out in such a tone, that I could 
scarcely refrain from weeping. There has been a great revival 



238 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



of religion amongst them. They baptize none but believers, and 
their mode is plunging." " To the pure, all things are pure." 
The piety of these people furnished Mr. Lee with an ample 
apology for any seeming extravagance or confusion in the mode 
of their religious exercises. 

Unaer date of the 7th, he says : " To-day I have preached four 
times, and felt better at the conclusion of my labour than I did 
when I first arose in the morning. I have found a great many 
Baptists in this part of the country, who are lively in religion. 
They are mostly different from those I have been heretofore ac- 
quainted with ; for these will let men of all persuasions commune 
with them, if they believe they are in favour with the Lord. I 
think the way is now open for our Preachers to visit this state. It 
is the wish of many that I should stay, and they beg that I would 
return again as soon as possible, although they never saw a Metho- 
dist Preacher before." 

Although Mr. Lee had, by the appointment of Conference, a col- 
league, yet he never appeared in the field ; and it was not until 
February 1790, that he had any one to assist in the arduous 
duty of opening a pathway for Methodism in the land of the Pil- 
grims. In this month, while holding a Quarterly Meeting at Dan 
Town, he heard that three of his brethren were coming to his help. 
On hearing this his heart responded — " Blessed is he that cometh 
in the name of the Lord." And when he saw them in the distance, 
he said, " Thou hast well done, that thou art come !" The breth- 
ren who had come to join him in his trying work, were Jacob 
Brush, an Elder, and George Roberts and Daniel Smith, junior 
Preachers. This was a joyful day to Mr. Lee. " No one knows 
but God and myself," he writes, " what comfort and joy I felt at 
their arrival. Surely the Lord has had respect unto my prayers, 
and granted my requests." Leaving Mr. Brush to supply his 
appointments on the Stamford circuit, and taking Mr. Smith, he 
struck out a larger circuit, and pressed into " the regions beyond." 
In a few weeks he succeeded in forming the New Haven circuit, 
for one Preacher, embracing one hundred and twenty miles in cir- 
cumference, and having seventeen appointments, to be filled in 
fourteen days. This circuit " extended along the post road from 
Milford to Hartford." In December of the preceding year, Mr. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



239 



Lee had spent two days in Hartford, and preached several times 
to large and attentive congregations, and he was encouraged to 
hope for success in making some who " were not a people, the 
people of God." On the 14th of March, while in Weathersfield, he 
met with two friends from Hartford, who informed him that the 
Lord was reviving his work in that place, and importuned him ta 
repeat his visit. On reaching the city he found lodgings provided 
for him, and was rejoiced to learn that his former visit had been 
blessed to the awakening of several persons. This information 
humbled his soul, but it strengthened his faith, and gave a new 
impulse to his zeal. He forthwith commenced preaching and visit- 
ing, and he had free access to the hearts and homes of the people. 
Many attended his ministry, sought his advice, and begged his 
prayers. In the month of November a class was formed in the 
place, but owing to the removal of some of the principal members, 
the little Society was not long after scattered abroad. 

Leaving Hartford, they rode to Farmington, and had been but a 
little while in the house of their host, before he began, according to 
the custom, an examination of the principles of his guests. He was 
a violent advocate of the " infallible Perseverance of the Saints," 
and avowed it as his belief that "if David had died in the act of 
adultery, and Peter while swearing, they would have been saved." 

" Then," said Mr. Lee, " after a man is converted, he is obliged 
to be saved ;— he can't help it ?" 

" Yes, he is obliged to be saved whether he will or no ; for it is 
impossible for him to help it. And," he added, "I would as soon 
hear you curse God at once, as to hear you say that God would 
give his love to a person, and then take it away again !" 

" I do not say God will take his love from them, but they may 
cast it away." 

" If God sent the leprosy upon a man," it was replied, " no one 
but God could take it away." 

" So," said Mr. Lee, " you think religion and leprosy much the 
same — sent as a judgment upon a person /" 

This just application of his argument silenced, but did not satisfy 
the host ; and he was so displeased at his discomfiture, that he 
abruptly refused to give Mr. Lee and his companion the necessary 
directions to find their next stopping-place. These controversial 



240 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



disputations were forced upon Mr. Lee. For awhile after com 
mencing his ministry in New England, he hesitated to converse or 
preach upon the points at issue between his own doctrinal belief 
and that of the people. His feelings, and his desire to win souls 
to Christ, prompted him to take this course. But he soon disco- 
vered the necessity of altering his determination upon the subject. 
The pulpits rung with doctrines antagonist to his course and his 
creed ; and these were re-echoed and prolonged with every shade 
of hostility in every family circle he entered. If he hesitated, it 
was construed into fear to avow his principles ; if he remained 
silent, it was a surrender of his faith ; if he declined a discussion, 
it was because his doctrines were so unsound he was afraid to 
avow them. Under these circumstances he was compelled to dis- 
pute, and, to say nothing of the perfect truth and consistency of 
his doctrinal belief, which gave him a positive advantage, he was 
too calm in his feelings, too clear in his perceptions of truth, and 
too sound in his convictions, not to succeed in silencing, if not in 
convincing his opponents. 

A few days after the occurrence just related, on his way to 
Bolton, he fell in company with a man who soon began to talk 
about the temporal condition of Hartford. Mr. Lee gave the con- 
versation a religious direction by remarking that the people of 
Hartford only needed two things to make them comfortable — a 
little more money and a little more grace. The man then informed 
Mr. Lee that on the preceding Monday night, two preachers who 
had come from the South, had preached in Hartford, but, he added, 
they had brought no new thing. He was told it was not the 
preachers' business to teach new things, but to preach " the old 
things" written in the gospel. His reply, and it will serve to illus- 
trate the feelings of the individual, as well as to place the manner 
of Methodist preaching in contrast with that of the settled clergy, 
was in substance, " these preachers speak louder than our minis- 
ters, and raise their heads, and spread their hands, and hollow, as 
though they were trying to frighten the people." The remark, 
"it would be well if they could frighten the people out of their 
sins," may have surprised him, but he parted from his companion 
without seeming to suspect that he was conversing with one of the 
men of whom he had spoken so contemptuously. It will show Mr. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



241 



Lee's delight in his duties, as well as his desire to be always em- 
ployed, to state that the next day, after several ineffectual attempts 
to find a place to preach in, he stopped at a small village, and on 
inquiring for a house, was told there was a man in the place who 
said he was ready to stane for the want of preaching. Well, 
said Mr. Lee, this is the place for me ; for I am ready to starve 
for somebody to preach to. He preached, and was blessed. 

At East Windsor he preached on Saturday night, the 3d of 
April, and again, the next morning at eight o'clock. He found it 
very difficult to obtain a place, for preaching ; he sought permission 
at several private houses; underwent, in the course of the afternoon, 
two very close doctrinal examinations ; and it was not until nearly 
dark, and after assuring them he made it a point to take no denial, 
that he could give notice of the time and place of preaching. This 
be had to do himself; and the school-house was full of people 
who gave good heed to the word spoken. These trials were con- 
stant, but they did not become common to Mr. Lee. He was 
impelled by a strong and prevailing sense of duty to the course he, 
pursued, else he would have retired in disgust and despair from thej 
presence o f a people r ud e by jjab it^ and only courteous when it wa s! 
manifestly discredita ble to .^pi^hCTffi^^ Yet it forms a striking^ 
contrast between the selfish doctrinalis?n, if we may make a word, 
of the people, and the absorbing spiritualism of Mr. Lee, to find 
him in connexion with these trials declaring : " I very frequently 
find that after a heavy cross, I meet with great comfort. If I 
could have the comfort without the cross, I should be glad ; but if 
the comfort is equal to the cross, as it often is w T ith me, I wish for 
a heavy cross ; for I do sincerely long for great comfort." 

Thursday, the 8th of April, 1789, was observed as a fast-day 
throughout the state. It is presumable Mr. Lee regarded it with 
appropriate devotional feelings. It is certain he watched on the 
occasion, and he reports the mode of keeping fast-day in Connecti- 
cut in 1789, which, whatever the appointment may say for the re- 
ligious feelings of the people, says very little in behalf of their fleshly 
mortification. " The manner of fasting, in general, is to eat a hearty 
breakfast, as usual, then attend public worship in the forenoon and 
afternoon, without eating any dinner, and then have supper before 
night : so those that keep the fast, eat but two meals between sunr. 
16 



242 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



rise and sunset." It can be no very intolerable self-denial to fasti 
twelve hours, on two hearty meals ! Such fasting would compro- 
mise all the rules of spiritual warfare. All occasion for the flesh 
lusting against the spirit would be removed ; and sensuality would 
lie down and be still in the very breast of devotion ! 

After preaching in Suffield, on Friday, the 9th, a Baptist preacher, 
who had heard his sermon, entered into conversation with Mr. Lee, 
and attempted to carry him through an examination, not upon 
principles, as was customary, but as to his " conversion and call to 
She ministry."* He declined entering into a full statement of the 
matter, upon the ground of its occupying too much time, but con- 
sented to give a brief account ; and began by saying, — " I sought 
the Lord, and found him." These inoffensive words were too much 
for the doctrinal standard of the Baptist. He abruptly denied the 
correctness of any such statement, and vehemently protested, "that 
no man ever sought the Lord before he was regenerated, and that 
God was always found of them that sought him not" And he 
waxed so warm, and so repeatedly and rudely interrupted Mr. Lee, 
in his attempts to speak, that some of the company interfered, and 
called him to order. "Well," said he, " we are too warm !" This 
unjust imputation upon the patience of Mr. Lee was at once resisted 
as a species of persecution, as he, so far from becoming " too 
warm," had not been allowed to speak even in reply to the ques- 
tions of this self-constituted committee of examination ; and he in- 
sisted, since he felt very calm, that his examiner must make con- 
fession for himself, and not for another. But although he convinced 
him of his impatience, he could not convict him of the erroneous- 
ness of his opinions : for he still insisted that " no man ever had a 
desire to be religious till he was born again." Of one thing, how- 
ever, he convinced Mr. Lee, — " that his nature was too much like 

* The following anecdote, probably occurring here, has been long and gene- 
rally credited. A minister, anxious to ascertain whether Mr. Lee had a liberal 
education, before giving his permission for him to preach in his Church, addressed 
some question to Mr. Lee, in Latin. A reply was returned in Dutch, such as 
Mr. Lee had learned in his early ministry in North Carolina. This greatly 
surprised the minister. He repeated it in Greek. It was again answered in 
Dutch. Not understanding the language, and supposing it to be Hebrew, of 
which he knew nothing, he concluded Mr. Lee knew more than himself, and 
granted him permission to preach in his Church. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



243 



his name ; his name was Hastings, and his nature hasty" Such 
rudeness, though quite common, was not always confined to the 
social circle. He sometimes found " lewd fellows of the baser 
sort" in his congregations, disposed to insult the minister, and bring 
the service into contempt. With a man of Mr. Lee's intrepidity 
and great readiness of wit, it was not always a safe experiment. 
He sometimes saw, and heard, and felt, as though he was blind, 
and deaf, and insensible ,* but there were occasions when every 
sense was alive, and every faculty an instrument of rebuke and 
chastisement to those who made light of the doctrines he preached, 
or of the service in which he was engaged. On one occasion, after 
having preached several times in Middlefield, some men sitting in 
the gallery repeatedly annoyed the congregation by their profane 
levity. Mr. Lee bore with it till he was satisfied it would be wrong 
to submit any longer. But, just as he was about to raise his voice 
in rebuke, a new disturbance was created that attracted the atten- 
tion of all. A panel of the front-door of the Church had been 
broken out, and, just at the moment, referred to, three dogs darted 
through the opening, and, pursuing each other along the middle 
aisle up to the front of the pulpit, turned and retreated through the 
opening again. Before the congregation had recovered from the 
surprise of this singular interruption, the dogs were again coursing 
along the aisle, up to the pulpit, and back again through the door. 
The Preacher was motionless, the congregation in a state of uneasy 
excitement, provoked to laughter yet daring only to smile, the party 
of disturbers in the gallery overrunning with joy at the whole scene, 
[n, again, came the dogs, hurrying and }^elping along the aisle, and 
away into the yard again. "Well !" said Mr. Lee, raising his deep 
sonorous voice above the titter that was stealing from every lip of 
he assembly, and sending a quick, expressive glance of his eye 
among the original disturbers of the meeting, — " the devil must 
have got into the dogs too/" The gravity of his manner, the 
structure of his sentence, and the emphasis on its last word, brought 
the blood in burning blushes to their cheeks, and under the im- 
pression that they formed the focus of every eye in the congregation, 
tney slunk into themselves and were still ! 

Mr. Lee continued to fill his regular appointments, and to seek 
new places of worship within the limits of the circuit he had 



244 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



formed, until June, when he resolved to enlarge his borders, and 
penetrate fields where, as yet, nothing was known of Methodism 
but the strange and contradictory accounts of " rumour, with her 
hundred tongues." In conformity with this purpose, and with 
Boston as his main and remotest point, he entered upon a new anc 1 
more arduous attempt to spread scriptural holiness in New Eng« 
land. It was not his design to form a regular circuit during this 
tour, but to ascertain the practicability of the thing, in order to 
submit his plans to Bishop Asbury, at the approaching session of 
the New York Conference ; and, if it should be deemed encou- 
raging, to press the importance of sending " forth labourers into 
the harvest." During this tour, he visited several places in Rhode 
Island and New Hampshire ; going through the former state, and 
returning through the latter. After leaving his circuit, he preached 
in Windham, Norwich, New London, Stonington, Newport, Bristol, 
Providence, and various other places. In some of these places he 
found an open door, and a people prepared of the Lord. In War- 
ren, he was invited to preach in the pulpits of several churches ; 
and, in Providence, he preached five times in one house, and seve- 
ral times in the court-house ; and, generally, he met with kind and 
courteous treatment. On the 9th of July he reached Boston, and 
at once sought a place where he might publish the word of salva- 
tion. But every effort was fruitless. He found no one to encourage 
him, or willing to render him any assistance in his benevolent 
enterprise. His urgent addresses only excited surprise ; his perse- 
vering importunity was met by a provoking petulance or a con- 
temptuous indifference. But these were not even new phases in 
the selfish hostility of the heart to the spirituality of the gospel. 
He had triumphed over it too frequently to be conquered by it 
now ; and, if he might not have access to their houses, they could 
not exclude him from the Common. It would not be the first time 
that the horizon had composed the walls, and the sky the canopy 
of his temple ; and here he could worship God with the unre- 
strained freedom of the heavenly service. Accordingly, on Satur- 
day he gave notice of his intention to preach on the Common, on 
the afternoon of the ensuing Sabbath. At the time appointed, there 
were not many persons present. He took his stand on a table, and 
commenced singing one of the sweet songs of Zion. The neigh 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



245 



bouring streets poured forth their masses ; and, when he com- 
menced preaching, a living crowd, of between two and three 
thousand, gave solemn attention to his warning voice ; and they 
were as still and quiet as if reposing upon the gaudy cushions of 
their stately city churches. On Monday morning he left Boston, 
discouraged but not disheartened ; and he determined to try again. 
There were sinners in Boston, and the gospel was designed for 
their salvation ; and he would not retire from the field without a 
heartier and more persevering endeavour to plant the truth in their 
hearts and Methodism in their city. 

After leaving Boston, he preached in Salem, Ipswich, and New- 
buryport. In Salem he preached in one of the Churches, and 
was recommended by some one to call on the Rev. Mr. Murray, 
the pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Newburyport. Here, 
however, he met with a very cool reception. Learning that Mr. 
Lee was a Methodist, agreeing with Mr. Wesley in doctrine and 
Church polity, Mr. Murray " very politely offered to treat him as a 
gentleman, and a Christian, but not as a minister." He would not 
allow him to preach in his pulpit. His reason for this was as un- 
worthy of his true calling, as it was creditable to the laborious 
zeal of Mr. Lee. He gave as a reason for his refusal, that he had 
been informed by letter, that a Methodist Preacher had lately been 
up the Connecticut River, and that he had held meetings in four 
different places in one day ! This was a violation of all the rules 
of the Standing Order. It put Orthodoxy at fault, and was not to be 
tolerated by so staunch an advocate of the regular order of things 
as Mr. Murray. It made nothing in favour of the application of Mr. 
Lee, to be informed that the person guilty of this outrage upon the 
proper moderation and sobriety of the sacred office, was now in his 
presence, seeking an opportunity to expend some of his zeal in be- 
half of the sinners of Newburyport ! And, although he was re- 
pulsed by the minister, he did not relinquish his purpose. After 
considerable labour he succeeded in obtaining permission to preach 
in the court-house, and having made an appointment to do so 
on a later day in the week, he departed on a brief tour in the ad 
jacent places of New Hampshire. During this journey he preached 
in Portsmouth to a congregation of serious hearers, some of whom 
seemed to regard his visit and his ministry as a message sent from 



246 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



God. At the appointed time he returned to Newburyport. A new 
difficulty awaited him. On his first visit the selectmen gave their 
consent for him to preach in the court-house, but during his ab- 
sence three of them changed their minds, and now desired to pre- 
vent its occupancy. But, at the time appointed for preaching, 
many of the citizens assembled, and one of the selectmen being 
present, the door was opened, and he had a large and well-behaved 
congregation, many of whom wept under the word. He preached 
again the next morning at six o'clock, and although it was an almost 
unheard-of thing, yet many attended, and the solemn aspect of the 
people, their tears, and earnest attention, and his own feelings of 
joy and confidence, led him to trust he was sowing good seed, in 
good soil that would spring up and produce — in some, thirty ; in 
some, sixty, and in some, an hundred-fold; in all, — fruit unto 
holiness. 

Before leaving Newburyport, Mr. Lee, in company with Mr. 
Murray, who in this fulfilled his purpose to treat him as a gentle- 
man, and the Rev. Mr. Marshall, visited the remains of the Rev. 
George Whitefield. These were deposited under the pulpit of the 
Church. Provided with a candle, they descended into the vault, 
and removing the coffin lid, beheld the awful ravages of "the 
last enemy of man." How quiet the repose, how changed the fea- 
tures of the man whose impassioned eloquence had moved multi- 
tudes to tears of penitence, and the impulses of a new-born zeal for 
God ! His face had lost its comeliness ; the fire of his eye was 
extinct, and he lay like a mighty warrior quietly reposing after the 
strife of conquest and the shout of victory. Death was gradually 
reducing his corporeal substance to its primitive dust. His soul 
was gone, and his flesh, in the midst of decay, was resting in hope 
of a resurrection unto life — to find its complete and perfect satisfac- 
tion when it awakes in the likeness of Christ. Silently they gazed 
on the fallen warrior of Christ, and fervently did Mr. Lee pray 
that the inspiration that made Whitefield an ornament of the Church 
and a blessing to the world, might dwell in his heart, and conse- 
crate and give direction and energy to the talents with which God 
had intrusted him. It was on a Sabbath morning, September the 
30th, 1770, that this great man ceased from the toils and trials of 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



247 



the earthly service, and entered upon the glorious worship of the 
upper temple. The memory of the just is blessed. 

The day after his visit to the remains of Whitefield, he rode to 
the New Mills, and preached in the Baptist Meeting-House. While 
here, he received a letter from the Rev. Mr. Spaulding, of Salem, 
informing him that he had made an appointment for him to preach in 
his Church that evening. He went and gave them a plain, warm- 
hearted sermon. Providence was guiding his steps. After preach- 
ing in Salem, he was strongly importuned to visit and preach in 
Marblehead, and after duly weighing the matter, he accepted the 
invitation, and had cause to rejoice that he did so. Here his min- 
istry was made a great blessing to the people, " some of whom 
were complaining of being almost starved for the word !" 

It was now Saturday. A week had elapsed since he preached 
in Boston. In this time he had travelled about one hundred and 
thirty miles, and preached ten sermons. This was a heavy draft 
upon his time and strength, requiring him to spend most of his 
time in company or on the road, and leaving but few and scattered 
opportunities for study or private devotion. But he was a great 
economist of time, and his solitary rides left him at liberty to com- 
mune with his own heart, and God. ' In this way, and with his 
morning and evening privilege of reading the Word of God, he 
prepared his sermons, and nursed the spirituality of heart that 
made him an able minister of the New Testament. On the Sab- 
bath he was again in Boston, and preached to nearly three thou- 
sand persons on the Common. " Blessed be God," he says, speak- 
ing of this service, " he made his quickening presence known, and 
met us in the field." He remained during the week, and preached 
once in a vacant Baptist Meeting-House, and once in a private 
house. He also preached in Charlestown. And on the Sabbath, 
notwithstanding the weather was unfavourable, he preached on the 
Common to a yet larger congregation than had heretofore attended 
his ministry. He supposed there were five thousand present. He 
had now fulfilled the object of this missionary tour, and he pre- 
pared to return to his regular field of labour, preaching, as he went, 
wherever he could find an open door. Soon after reaching his 
circuit, it was his happiness to begin to gather in the first ripe 
fruits of the harvest which he had sowed in hope, and for whose 



248 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



precious increase he had watched and waited with the undoubting 
trust of a steadfast faith in God. After preaching in several 
places, he arrived in Middlefield, and united with his colleagues in 
holding a Quarterly Meeting ; and although the Methodists had 
preached in the place but a few times, yet the word of the gospel 
had wrought so effectually upon the hearts of some, that when an 
offer was made to receive members into Society, six persons gave 
themselves to the fellowship of Methodism, resolved to bear the 
reproach of Christ, esteeming it greater riches than the treasures 
of Orthodoxy or the pleasures of sin. This was a season of de- 
vout and grateful joy to Mr. Lee ; and he rejoiced over it as one 
that taketh great spoil. 

Mr. Lee had now been more than a year preaching the gospel 
of the Kingdom in New England. He had introduced Methodism 
into places where previously rumour had scarcely breathed its name ; 
and he had stood its living representation, unblanched by fear or 
shame, where evil report had scandalized every green thing in its 
heritage, and given to its virtues the savour of a bad name. With 
apostolic zeal and devotion he had sowed the good seed of truth, 
and it was springing up on every hand — a harvest of righteousness 
and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. God had given the increase, 
first the stalk, then the blade, then the full corn in the ear. And 
although his work was not finished, yet the time had come for him 
to return to his brethren, and report to them the amount of his 
labour, and the measure of success graciously vouchsafed by the 
Lord of the harvest. On leaving for Conference, he makes the 
following record in acknowledgment of the grace and mercy of 
God : " Here I may stop and look back on the year that is past. 
But when I consider the many dangers I have passed through, the 
many mercies I have received, and the many moments I have not 
improved, I stand amazed at myself, and astonished at the goodness 
of God to me. It is now sixteen months and eight days since our 
last Conference ; and in this time, I have travelled several thou- 
sand miles, and preached in six states, and in chief part of the 
large towns in New England. In most places I have met with a 
kinder reception than I could have expected, among persons hold- 
ing principles so different from mine ; but yet I have been much 
opposed, and have been under the disagreeable necessity of spend- 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



249 



ing much of my time on controversial subjects, sometimes in public, 
and often in private. When opposed, if I discovered an inclina- 
tion to waive the discourse, they would immediately conclude my 
principles were so bad I was afraid to let them be known ; and if I 
remained silent, all -would go for the truth. For these reasons, I 
have been led to debate the matter with many of those who have 
spoken to me with a calm spirit. I have generally had quietness 
of mind while conversing on doctrinal subjects, and sometimes 
seemed to be assisted immediately from heaven ; and answers have 
been put in my mouth that were not familiar to me, when strange 
questions have been asked. I was enabled to go through all my 
hardships with great satisfaction, and was much blessed in preach- 
ing to the people ; and the Lord gave me some visible fruit of my 
labour in the awakening and conversion of precious souls." 

We are not without proof of the signal success of Mr. Lee in 
these efforts to build up the cause of Christ among the decaying 
Churches of New England. During the sixteen months in which 
he had been engaged in the work, three circuits had been formed ; 
and he reported to Conference an aggregate of one hundred and 
eighty white persons, and one coloured, as members of the Church 
— the fruit which God mercifully permitted him and his colleagues 
to gather into the storehouse. Under all the circumstances, this 
was a most gratifying result ; and, while it justified the long-che- 
rished impressions of Mr. Lee, as to the ability of Methodism to 
make and maintain its conquests in any land, however enlightened, 
and whatever the character or strength of its prejudices, it must 
have given great encouragement to his co-labourers, and stimulated 
them even to greater efforts in their sublime purpose of spreading 
scriptural holiness in the earth. Bishop Asbury seems to have 
feared for the success of Methodism in New England ; and when 
he learned, in the fall of 1789, that there was an opening for it in 
that land of formalism and prejudice, he received it as most " en- 
couraging intelligence," and resolved to send another labourer into 
the field. 



250 THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



CHAPTER VII. 

FROM THE NEW YORK CONFERENCE OF 1790, TO THE GEN- 
ERAL CONFERENCE OF 1792. 

Mr. Lee attends Conference in New York — Presents the Claims of New Eng- 
land to Bishop Asbury — Receives Ordination — Increase of the Church — In- 
cipient Plan for Sunday Schools — Death of his Mother — Returns to New Eng- 
land — Boston — Visits Lynn — Success — Returns to Boston — Trials — Out of 
Money — Difficulties in Boston — Conference again in New York — Bishop 
Asbury goes to New England — Methodism introduced into Canada — Lynn — 
Marblehead — Salem — Manchester — New Hampshire — Rhode Island — Lynn 
— Colleagues, Bonsai and Smith — Extent of his Labours — Reading — Con- 
ference in Lynn — A new District — Society in Boston — General Conference 
in Baltimore — Death of " The Council" — Revision of the Discipline — " Pre- 
siding Elder Question" — Defeat of the Plan of electing them — O'Kelly with- 
draws from the Conference — Provision for his Support — Agitation — Secession 
— Loss of Members — O'Kelly's Apology — Controversy respecting it — Sneth- 
en's Reply — Mr. Lee involved by O'Kelly — Vindication — Unpublished Re- 
ply — Extracts — Failure of O'Kelly — Causes of it. 

The last Conference for the year 1790 was held on the 4th of 
October, in the city of New York. It was sixteen months since 
Mr. Lee had parted with his brethren, upon what was truly a mis- 
sionary experiment of a most arduous and unpromising character; 
and we may well conceive the conscious satisfaction with which he 
took his seat in their midst, to dissipate their doubts and to justify 
and confirm his own confidence, by the report of the success which 
God had mercifully vouchsafed to his labours. It was the crown- 
ing glory of his long-cherished desire to carry a purer system of 
doctrinal belief, with its concomitant blessing of a sounder experi- 
ence of the things of God, to those who, notwithstanding the num- 
ber and variety of their religious privileges, needed to " be taught 
the way of God more perfectly." But it was a common triumph. 
Every one rejoiced in his success ; and they magnified the grace 
of God in him, and especially in the fruits of his ministry. 

At an early period of the Conference, Mr. Lee sought an inter- 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



251 



view with Bishop Asbury ; and, in a private conversation of three 
hours' length, he presented the condition and claims of New Eng- 
land, and urged the importance of increasing the number of minis- 
ters in that department of the work for the ensuing year. These 
arguments were happily offered to one whose Christian sympathies 
always moved in unison with his duties and responsibilities ; and, 
satisfied by the fact of Mr. Lee's success, as well as by his reasoning, 
he deemed it a suitable occasion for the exercise of the power con- 
ferred upon him by the Church, and resolved to enter the door 
which Providence had so effectually opened for the introduction of 
Methodism. Accordingly we find, in the Minutes of Conference, 
four stations and five Preachers set down for the field which, 
almost singly, Mr. Lee had spent the preceding year in cultivating. 
Indeed, New England was constituted a District ; and the office of 
Elder was conferred upon the indefatigable evangelist who had, 
with a zeal so earnest and self-denying, planted the vigorous tree 
of Methodism in its sterile and stony soil. But the appointment 
«vvas probably more for counsel in their general work, than for 
particular oversight upon the present principles and duties of the 
office. Hence, although his name stands at the head of the Dis- 
trict as Elder, it is also placed, in connexion with that of his col- 
league of the preceding year, D. Smith, on the plan of appoint- 
ments for Boston. 

During this Conference, Mr. Lee consented to enter fully into 
ministerial orders. Heretofore he had resisted the importunity of 
his brethren upon the subject. Not feeling the necessity of admi- 
nistering the Sacraments, he was content to preach that men should 
repent. Regarding the Sacraments as subsidiary in interest and | 
importance to repentance and faith, and as helps to faith, rather \ 
than as conveyances of grace, he was desirous of giving chief pro- 
minency to the means directly adapted by the constitution of the 
gospel, to bring sinners " to the knowledge of salvation by the re- 
mission of sins." But his circumstances were now changed ; the 
nature of his labours in forming new Societies, in gathering in the 
outcasts, in making them "who were no people, the people of God," 
who would desire for their households the baptism of water, and 
for themselves the communion of the body and blood of Christ, 
created a necessity for the authority to perform these functions of 



252 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



the ministry that his sense of duty, and his anxiety to do all the 
good in his power, would not allow him to resist. Here, whatever 
scruples he had formerly cherished, were at an end. A necessity 
was laid upon him. The way of duty was broad and straight : 
and he entered it without reluctance or regret. He was accordingly- 
ordained Deacon, in private ; and, on the next day, in the presence 
of " the Congregation of Christ," he was solemnly inducted into 
the holy order of Elders. 

It was a matter of devout rejoicing that the Ecclesiastical year 
now closing had been marked with spiritual success in every field 
of Methodism. The Societies had rest, and were at peace ; and a 
great multitude were brought into the fellowship of the saints. A 
nett increase of 10,930 whites, and 3,439 coloured persons, was at 
once a subject of thanksgiving, and a proof of the presence and 
blessing of Him, who said to the Apostles, " Lo, I am with you 
alway, even unto the end of the world." 

As an interesting feature in the history of the Church, it is 
deserving of especial notice, that a measure for the establishment 
of Sunday Schools was introduced and carried through the several 
Conferences. It was considered under the question : 

" What can be done in order to instruct poor children (white and 
black) to read ?" 

Ans. " Let us labour as the soul of one man to establish Sunday 
schools, in or near the place of public worship. Let persons be 
appointed by the Bishops, Elders, Deacons, or Preachers, to teach 
(gratis) all that will attend ahd have a capacity to learn , from 
six o'clock in the morning till ten, and from two o'clock in the 
afternoon till six ; where it does not interfere with public worship. 
The Council shall compile a proper school-book to teach them 
learning and piety." 

Unhappily for the succeeding generations of Methodists, this wise 
and pious measure encountered difficulties that ultimately destroved 
it. For a time, however, it was popular and efficient. And while 
its novelty lasted, its claims were properly attended to by all con- 
cerned in its promotion. But apathy succeeded to zeal ; parents 
became careless, teachers lukewarm, and children could have no 
just appreciation of its advantages, and after enduring for awhile, 
it fell into neglect, and finally, ceased for long years to attract the 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



253 



notice or interest the heart of the Church. Times of ignorance 
succeeded; and if no evil was done by the failure, much good was 
left undone. A brighter day has since dawned. 

Before leaving the seat of the Conference, Mr. Lee received a 
letter from home, communicating the distressing intelligence of the 
death of his mother. She died on the 14th of September, 1790, 
closing a life of servitude to Christ in humble hope of a great 
recompense of reward in the Kingdom of Heaven. Through seven- 
teen years, in which she had been a follower of Christ, she had 
" rejoiced in God her Saviour," and in a happy consciousness of 
her " acceptance in the Beloved." And while her departure was a 
triumph to her, it was nevertheless a source of sorrowing to her 
family, especially to her two sons, Jesse and John, whom she had 
given to the Lord for the work of the ministry, and who, in attend- 
ance upon their work in New England, were denied the sweet 
solace of grief in waiting upon her last moments, and mingling 
their sorrows with those to whose hearts the shock came as the 
knell of a thousand joys. Deep was the grief of these brothers 
when, on the eve of their departure from New York for their work 
in New England, they learned that she, to whom they had ever 
looked for counsel and comfort, had gone hence, to unite in that 
grand coronation of Christ which is the daily occupation of the 
redeemed multitudes in heaven. Their hearts were bowed down 
within them ; they communed with each other in sorrow, and 
sought consolation in prayer. This sad event was near deranging 
all their plans for the work of God on which they had entered for 
the year. It did prevent Mr. John Lee from entering upon his 
in the New Haven circuit, to which he had been appointed. After 
consultation, it was deemed prudent for him, especially as his health 
was delicate, and he might not be able to stand the severe northern 
winter, to return at once to Virginia ; and for the elder to repair to 
his work in Boston. In pursuance of this plan they parted — the 
one to build the temple of God among a strange people — the other 
to shed bitter tears through dreary days in the desolate halls of his 
forsaken homestead. It is due to the memory of this excellent 
woman — the mother of two as pure-minded and noble men as ever 
preached Jesus and his atonement to a sinning world — it is due to 
her character to say, that she was one of the first persons to enter 



254 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



into the fellowship of Methodism in Virginia. When there were 
but one hundred Methodists in the state, she was one of them; and 
of the first Society formed south of the James River, she, her hus- 
band, and two sons, constituted the class. And, from that time 
until her death, it was her constant delight to minister to the men 
of God by whose labours she and her family were brought to the 
realization of the blessedness of believing in Christ. The memory of 
the just is blessed. And to this hour, her descendants of the third 
and fourth generation are walking in the same way of life in which 
she walked with so sincere a faith, and so profound a submission to 
the will and appointments of God ! 

On his way to Boston, the field of his labour, Mr. Lee passed 
through, and preached at several places which he had visited the pre- 
ceding year. At Middlefield he " baptized one woman and twelve 
children, and had a solemn time in the Ordinance." At another 
place he formed a Society. He also administered the holy commu- 
nion to a small number of believers. These visits were gratifying 
to his friends, and profitable to his own soul ; old trials were 
recalled to his mind, and were as thorns in his flesh to humble 
him as a fit preparation for approaching troubles. He gained many 
laurels, but plucked no roses in the land of the Pilgrims. It was on 
Saturday, the 13th of November, that, unannounced, unnoticed, 
and uncared for, he made his solitary entry into the city of Boston ; 
alone and a stranger, on a message from God, to a population as 
unspiritual as Laodicea, and as boastful, but as dead as Sardis ! 
Without a church or a congregation ; or even a friend to whom he 
might resort for counsel or encouragement ! It was a gloomy 
prospect truly. But the darkness was all external. There was 
blessed sun-light in his heart. What if these stately churches 
before which he paused in his walks through the city, were closed 
to him ? What if he could not while away his hours in these splendid 
mansions of the rich and proud 1 Would Christ fare better if he 
were here 1 Might not He roam these streets as solitary, as unno- 
ticed, and as friendless as His servant ? The thought was blissful — 
and the light that was in him was increased " from glory to glory." 
The Sabbath came, we know not whether in sunshine or in storm 
but it was a singular Sabbath to him. He had nowhere to preach 
and in selecting a place of worship for the day. he had to decide 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



255 



between rigid Calvinism and loose Universal} sm. It was a pre- 
dicament into which a Christian would not willingly be often 
placed. But there was no other doctrine in the place. These 
were all ; and they stood, as they still stand, confronting each 
other, while truth, in the character of its Arminian representative, 
occupied a position in the centre with its hand already at the throat 
of each. And he had to choose between these two evils, or fall 
back upon one almost as bad, and stay at home. And when it is 
said he heard a Universalist preach on that strange Sabbath morn- 
ing, who, in view of the necessity of choosing between the two creeds 
as they stood in those days of antagonism, especially upon the great 
doctrine of redemption—who shall say he did wrong? Now, 
when the lines of moral corruption are more distinctly drawn, and 
these doctrinal systems have been more certainly developed in their 
practical results, it might be regarded as a desecration. But then, 
in connexion with its circumstances, it might have allowed of an 
ample justification ; and, detached from them, it might have been 
wrong to condemn it. At least the charity that thinketh no evil 
will find no evil in the act. At night, in a private house, and to 
a small company, he had the privilege of preaching the true doc- 
trine of the gospel himself. Thus passed his first Sabbath in Boston. 

The ensuing week was spent in a profitless effort to secure a place 
in which to preach. In this labour he " met with great and heavy 
trials." Every one seemed resolved to frustrate the attempt ; no 
one encouraged him, and he was almost without even the sympa- 
thy of common civility. On his former visit he made a few friends, 
but these deserted him now. " One of the greatest friends I had in 
the town when I was here before," he says, " did not come to see 
me now ; and when I went to see him, would scarcely take any 
notice of me." But this was only a portion of the cup he had to 
drink. A few essayed to help him, but they were soon dis- 
couraged, and gave up in despair. But difficulties could not damp 
the ardour of the apostle of Methodism in New England. Daily he 
renewed his efforts, and daily defeat only strengthened his deter- 
mination and multiplied his endeavours. And still, as darker grew 
his prospects, the stronger was his trust in God, and the more was 
he confirmed in the conviction that God, who sent him to Boston, 
would make his ministry a blessing to its inhabitants. Another 



256 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



Sabbath came, and others were added to that, and weeks ran into 
months, and found him in the midst of increasing difficulties, with 
a quenchless desire to establish Methodism in Boston. Repulsed, 
insulted, without sympathy, and destitute of friends, he toiled on, 
and, as opportunity served, in private houses, sowed the good seed 
of the kingdom, -and patiently waited for the increase that cometh 
from God. On one occasion, when partial success had crowned 
his toils, hope folded her wings and laid down to repose in the 
quiet of his grateful heart. And when, contrary to his expecta- 
tions, he received a positive, perhaps a disdainful rejection, she 
started from her rest and spread her wings "to fly away as an 
eagle towards heaven." But he chained her to his heart, and 
struck out another pathway to success. 

In the midst of these almost hopeless attempts, he received a 
letter from a gentleman in Lynn, inviting him to visit the place, and 
encouraging him to believe he might find a place for preaching, 
and some, at least, who were willing to hear what he had to say 
of the way of life. This gentleman, Benjamin Johnson, had, per- 
haps in Maryland, some twenty years previously, attended the 
ministry of Methodism ; and he was anxious to renew the religious 
opportunities he had then enjoyed. There were others in the town 
who, in their visits to, or during a residence in the South, had pos- 
sessed the same privilege : and these also were anxious to have a 
Society of Methodists established in the place. Perhaps the set 
time to favour Boston had not yet come, and Providence may have 
intended to reach that seat of formalism by the gradual establish- 
ment of His cause in its outposts — the towns and villages in its 
vicinity. Whether Mr. Lee reasoned in this way or not, it is at 
least certain he went into the towns and villages preaching the 
kingdom of God, and that he met with most encouraging success. 
Some days after the letter from Lynn, and at the expiration of a 
month of constant anxiety and fruitless toil in seeking a house to 
preach in, he determined to accept the invitation, and left Boston. 
It was after dark, on the 13th of December, 1790, when he arrived 
in Lynn. His welcome in the family of Mr. Johnson was as a 
cordial to his spirits, and made him feel as though he was at home, 
a rare thing in New England. Nor was his welcome confined to 
this family. Others received him with a cheerful heart, and re- 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



257 



garded his visit as a merciful interposition of Providence for the 
salvation of their souls. On the night after his arrival, in the 
house of his host, and to a good many hearers, he opened his mes- 
sage in a sermon upon John iii. 17 : For God sent not his Son 
into the world to condemn the world ; but that the world, through 
him, might be saved. He " bore a public testimony against un- 
conditional auction and reprobation ; and maintained that Christ 
died for all men, without respect of persons." A deep seriousness 
pervaded the congregation ; and some of them seemed to feel the 
power of the word of God. This was grateful to the feelings of 
Mr. Lee, and he blessed God for the consolation. The next Mon- 
day night, about a mile from Lynn, at the residence of Mr. Lye, 
he preached again to a decent well-behaved company, on Gal. vi. 
7. in warning them against self-deception, he " felt great enlarge- 
ment of heart, and much of the Divine presence." Of this as- 
sembly he says : " I have not met with a company of people for 
a long time that had so much the appearance of a Methodist con- 
gregation as this." On Wednesday, the 22d, after spending more 
than a week in Lynn, he returned to Boston. Previous to his de- 
parture, however, he had the pleasure of knowing that his visit and 
ministry had not been in vain in the Lord. He was earnestly en- 
treated to come again ; and was assured that some of the people 
" talked strongly of forming a Methodist Society." And this reso- 
lution was not the mere " talk of the lips" that " tendeth to pov- 
erty." It was the purpose of' those whose hearts had been opened 
oytne Word of God, and whose understandings had been enlight- 
ened by the preaching of the pure doctrines of the gospel. And 
the time for the fulfilment of this purpose soon came. After seve- 
ral visits to the place, he had the happiness of gathering in the first 
ripe fruits of his ministry in Massachusetts. On the 20th of Feb- 
ruary, 1791, he formed a Society in Lynn, consisting of eight 
members, which on that day week was increased by the addition 
of twenty-one more ; and in two months thereafter, on the 9th of 
May, " upwards of seventy men who paid a tax, according to 
law," to support the Congregational minister, came together and 
took certificates of their adhesion to Methodism, and thenceforth 
contributed to the support of a ministry more congenial with then j 
religious tastes. The accession of these men, with their families, I 
17 



258 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



and their influence, greatly strengthened the infant Society ; and 
led, it is very probable, to the determination, which was soon after 
carried into effect, of building a house of worship. This house, 
if we may judge from the circumstances of its erection, must haye 
been of very humble pretensions. In Mr. Lee's account of the 
matter, it was begun on the 14th, and dedicated on the 26th of 
June, 1791. But it has the reputation of being the first Methodist 
house of worship ever erected in the state ; and no doubt, when its 
history shall be written, it will be said of many a precious soul, 
" this man and that woman were born there." There seems never 
to have been any difficulty in the plantation and growth of Metho- 
dism in Lynn. It took root at once in the soil of the heart, grew 
rapidly, and yet remains a praise and a blessing to multitudes. 

On returning to Boston, after the first visit to Lynn, Mr. Lee 
found his condition in every respect more difficult than when he 
departed from it. The few friends he had left behind him, had 
failed in every effort to obtain a house for worship, and were rest- 
ing in the inactivity of despair. His former landlord refused any 
longer to entertain him ; he had to look for new lodgings ; and, 
after settling for his board, he found his whole stock in cash to 
consist of two shillings and a penny ! For some days previously, 
he had felt considerable anxiety respecting the state of his purse. 
He apprehended a deficiency in settling with his landlord ; and he 
was very unwilling to let it be known to how low a state his finances 
were reduced, lest some one should suspect him to be seeking filthy 
lucre ; a suspicion that, however unjust, would have scorched his 
soul with a secret agony. But he was happily relieved, and by 
what may be regarded as a providential deliverance, from all dan- 
ger of such an imputation. He trusted in God to provide not only 
for support, but for his reputation ; and he was led in a way he 
knew not. While in Lynn, and while reflecting upon his monetary 
difficulties, a gentleman became smitten with anxiety to purchase a 
copy of the Arminian Magazine, belonging to Mr. Lee, and which 
he was engaged in reading. He very willingly parted with his 
book and his fears at the same time, and thereby escaped both em- 
barrassment and exposure. For, after paying his board, he was 
enabled to write in his Diary, with the calmness of a Christian 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



259 



philosopher, " If I can always have two shillings by me, beside 
paying all I owe, I think I shall be satisfied." 

For several months after these ineffectual efforts to establish 
regular preaching in Boston, he visited and preached in the towns 
and villages adjacent to the city.* But he scarcely entered a 
place without having to run the gauntlet with the minister of the 
parish, or a knot of selectmen, who, having custody of the town- 
house, felt themselves the guardians of the morals and manners of 
the place. These were always differing with each other as to the 
peculiar line of duty, under an application to occupy the house for 
religious worship. Some were willing, some doubted, others were 
positively opposed ; and, sometimes, while they were debating, and 
hesitating, or seeking a plausible pretext for refusing, some one 
would offer his house to the evangelist; and he would preach and 
be away on his mission, before the committee had decided whether 
he should preach in the place or not. In Salem he had frequently 
occupied, with the consent of its pastor, the Church of the Rev. 
Mr. Hopkins ; but on visiting it in April, Mr. H. told him " some 
of the people were uneasy about his preaching, and thought it 
would not do to encourage him, by letting him preach in their 
house." And so he was adrift again, at the mercy of the select- 
men, or, more Christianly, under the guidance of the Providence 
that made all these things work together for good to the soul of His 
servant, and the increase of the number of them that believe. In 
Lynn, the day after his adventure with Mr. Hopkins, he was ad- 
mitted into the Meeting-House for the first time ; and, coupling the 
two facts together, he says : " Yesterday I was denied the use of a 
pulpit in which I had frequently preached, and to-day I have ob- 
tained liberty to preach in one which I never occupied before. So 
it is, I pass through good and evil report. I have prosperity 
enough to keep my spirits from sinking, and adversity sufficient to 
keep me from being exalted above measure." Even in Boston, he 
was gaining some ground. In a private house, he had more hear- 
ers than commonly attended his appointments ; they were more 

* Lynn, Marblehead, Danvers, Manchester, Beverly, Cape Ann Harbour, 
Ipswich, Hamlet, and Salem, are mentioned as places in which he preached 
with customary opposition, perseverance, and success. It will be impossible 
to enter into details. 



260 



THE LIFJi AND TIMES OF 



attentive to the word, and some of them seemed cut to the heart , 
they expressed a greater regard, and appeared more friendly than 
usual to the itinerant evangelist. He " felt much inward peace, 
and an increase of faith." Hope lifted itself in his heart, and 
pointed out a future radiant with triumph and replete with conso 
lation. 

One of the last official acts of Mr. Lee, previous to his departure 
for Conference, which was near at hand, was to furnish such of 
the citizens of Lynn, as regularly attended his ministry, with cer- 
tificates of the fact, and also of their contributing to his support, in 
order that they might escape the tax imposed by the state, for the 
support of a ministry that they no longer desired to hear. Some 
of these had entered into Society with the Methodists, and all of 
them had been brought as far under its influence as the certificates 
attested. But the Society itself was still united, prosperous, and 
happy. In less than two months from its organization it numbered 
fifty-eight members, and was gradually ascending in the scale of 
moral improvement, social influence, and religious experience — the 
power of faith and the life of purity and love. 

The Conference to which Mr. Lee was now attached was held 
in the city of New York, on the 26th of May, 1791. Of this meet- 
ing, Bishop Asbury says : " Our ordinary business was enlivened 
by the relation of experiences, and by profitable observations on the 
work of God. About thirty Preachers were present, and not a 
frown, a sign of sour temper, or an unkind word was seen or heard 
among us." It was an assembly of Christian men, one of whose 
rules required them to cherish a continual sense of the presence of 
God. At this Conference Mr. Lee was continued as Elder, although 
his district was somewhat changed, and considerably enlarged. 
Boston was omitted in the Minutes, and Lynn substituted as the 
name of the circuit, which nevertheless included the city, which 
hitherto had foiled all the efforts of one of the most indomitable of 
that sturdy and tireless race of Methodist Preachers. The district 
included all of New England in which the Methodists had organ- 
ized Societies, and extended to Kingston in Upper Canada ; it had 
seven appointments, and twelve ministers, exclusive of the Elder, 
who, while he exercised a general oversight, seems nevertheless to 
have confined his labours to the circuit of the preceding year. Yet 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



261 



he devoted sorn^ considerable portion of his time in visiting and 
preaching in places previously unknown to Methodism. From the 
Conference Bishop Asbury made a rapid tour through Mr. Lee's 
district, preaching with his usual frequency, zeal, and popularity. 
In this journey he was accompanied, for the most part, by the 
Elder, under whose guidance he travelled a smoother pathway than 
had blessed the first visits of the pioneer of Methodism in the land. 
And it is at least probable he remembered the importunity of the 
stripling who, in 1784, so earnestly desired to carry the sublime 
hopes of a living faith to the cold hearts and lukewarm spirits of 
the descendants of the strong-minded Pilgrims. But he was now in 
the presence of his conquests ; and saw on every hand the proofs of 
his zeal, the trophies of his labour of love. Much, however, remained 
to be done before righteousness filled the land. Of a public religious 
service in Stratford, the Bishop gives an account as unique, as the 
conduct of the people was singular and surprising. " We came to 
Stratford — good news — they have voted that the town-house shall be 
shut : well, where shall we preach ? Some of the selectmen, one 
at least, granted access : — we had close work on Isaiah lv. 6, 7. 
Some smiled, some laughed, some swore, some talked, some prayed, 
some wept — had it been a house of our own, I should not have been 
surprised had the windows been broken." It is as difficult to 
imagine how, under such circumstances, the Bishop maintained his 
gravity, as it would be to conceive what the rest were doing when 
so many were so variously acting in contrast with each other. 
Breaking the windows would only have been an additional element 
to a scene sufficiently Babel-like without it. At New Haven, he 
says, " I had President S., Dr. W., and the Rev. Mr. E., to hear 
me, and several of the collegians, with a few scattering citizens. 
When I had done no man spoke to me. I thought of dear Mr. 
Whitefield's words to Mr. Boardman and Mr. Pillmore, at their first 
coming over to America : — ' Ah !' said he, ' if ye were Calvinists 
ye would take the country before ye.' The divines were grave, 
and the students attentive ; they used me like a fellow-Christian in 
coming to hear me preach, and like a stranger in other respects : 
should Cokesbury or Baltimore ever furnish the opportunity, I, in 
my turn, will requite their behaviour, by treating them as friends, 
brethren, and gentlemen. The difficulty I met with in New Haven 



262 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



for lodging, and for a place to hold meeting, m^e me feel and 
know the worth of Methodists more than ever." The Bishop was 
learning to prize the fortitude and self-denial of the Apostle of Me- 
thodism in the inhospitable country through which he also, as a 
stranger and a pilgrim, was striving to build the kingdom of God. 
In closing this journey into New England, which had occupied 
nearly two months, he remarked, with characteristic simplicity and 
disinterestedness : " Well, it is all for God, and Christ, and souls : 
I neither covet nor receive any man's silver or gold — food, raiment, 
and a little rest, is all I want." 

It was during this year, and under the Eldership of Mr. Lee, 
that Methodism was introduced into Canada. At the Conference 
in New York, the Kingston circuit was formed, and placed under 
the supervision of the Elder of the New England district. The 
Rev. William Losee was appointed to the arduous work of intro- 
ducing Methodism in that portion of British America. After 
numerous privations and hardships in the wilderness of Western 
New York, he entered Canada at Kingston, and commenced the 
formation of a circuit in its vicinity, along the banks of Lake 
Ontario and the Bay of Quinte. He met occasionally with persons 
who had heard the Methodist Preachers in England or in the United 
States. These gave him a cordial welcome, and with their co-ope- 
ration he succeeded in forming a circuit and in organizing a few 
Societies. The next year this field of labour was divided ; two cir- 
cuits were entered on the Minutes, and stood, Oswegatchie, W. 
Losee, Cataraqui, Darius Dunham ; and at the same time, which 
must be regarded as the product of Mr. Losee's labours, although 
Dr. Bangs* attributes it jointly to the two, one hundred and sixty- 
five are reported as the number in Society in Canada. And this 
in 1793 was increased to three hundred and forty-five. From the 
beginning, Methodism prospered in the province, and it is still 
fruitful and flourishing — a messenger of joy and consolation to the 
hearts and homesteads of thousands. We have no evidence that 
Mr. Lee participated in this work by any personal exercise of his 
ministry. But as Elder, he no doubt encouraged it ; and there was 
the sanction of his own brilliant example, and his still increasing 



* Hist. M. E. Church, vol. i. p. 322. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



263 



success, to stimulate just such efforts among men whose quenchless 
zeal to save souls would have made them " mighty men, men of 
renown," in any age of Christian heroism. 

Mr. Lee resumed his labours after Conference with a zeal as 
unabated as the love that prompted it ; and with an industry as 
persevering, to say the least of it, as the opposition that everywhere 
confronted his efforts to do good. 

Arrived in Lynn, he catechized the children, led the classes, 
preached, and visited from house to house, not merely as a friend, 
but as a Christian pastor that loves his God, and is — 

" Mainly anxious 
That the flock he serves may love Him too." 

After preaching here twice on Sunday, the 31st of July, he rode 
to Marblehead, and at six o'clock in the evening, preached from 
Luke xvi. 31. The service was encouraging, the reason, at least, 
in his own words, will show what he thought encouraging : "There 
is a considerable stir in this town, respecting the sentiments of the 
Methodists, and a great many wish us to depart out of their coasts ; 
but the more the lion roars, the more I am encouraged. I found a 
few that were almost persuaded to be Methodists, as well as 
Christians." 

" Wednesday, August 3, I went to Salem, and at night preached 
on Prov. xxviii. 13. I felt a good deal of life and liberty, and 
spoke pretty closely to my hearers. I had some Hopkinsians to 
hear me ; but they do not like my way of preaching, because I 
advise sinners to pray that their sins may be forgiven, and they 
think no one ought to pray till their sins are forgiven. 

"Wednesday, 10th, I rode to Manchester, and at five o'clock 
preached from 1 Sam. ii. 30. After I had gone through my text, 
I spoke half an hour on the possibility of falling from grace. I 
spoke freely, and endeavoured to bring forward every argument I 
could to establish the point. Many of the people seemed to stare 
very much. After I had done, the people came out, and collected 
together to talk about the sermon. Some said my arguments 
could not be answered, or that the Scripture was on my side ; but 
others complained heavily. I committed the cause to the Lord, 
and could not doubt but that good was done. 



264 



THE LIFE AND TIMFS OF 



" Friday, 12th. I rode to Appleton, in the old parish of Ipswich. 
When T got there, the woman of the house met me at the door, 
and began to weep, and said she had found the Lord precious to 
her soul ; that she was deeply affected by my preaching when I 
was round two weeks before ; and when she heard me the last 
evening, she was so distressed she could not rest, and returned 
home, crying to the Lord to have mercy upon her, till about two 
o'clock in the morning, at which time the Lord set her soul at 
liberty. She was well satisfied that her sins were forgiven. She 
then added, ' Let others say what they will against you, I bless 
the Lord that I ever heard your voice.' 

" Friday, 26th. Rode to Greenland, New Hampshire, and dined 
with Dr. March ; then to Portsmouth, and put up at Mr. Walton's, 
a Separate minister. We had meeting in a private house. At 
Mr. Walton's request, I preached on Psal. i. 6. I found it to be a 
time of much life and love, and some of the people appeared to 
be much affected. When service was ended, some of the people 
blessed God for our meeting ; and when the minister asked some 
of them what they thought of shutting such preaching out of the 
Meeting-House, some of them said, if they shut that man out, they 
did not know who they would let in. All seemed very friendly. 

" September. Friday, 23d. Preached in Windham, at the house 
of Josiah Sweet, on Phil. i. 22. This is the first time a Methodist 
ever preached in this town. I had a good congregation, and some 
of them were much affected by the word. I think the time is 
near when the work of the Lord will begin to revive in this part 
of the world; and if the Lord work by us, our good mistaken 
brethren will be brought to say, ' Send, Lord, by whom thou wilt 
send.' 

" November. Monday, 7th. Providence, Rhode Island. I was 
kindly received by my old friends, and lodged at Mr. Jacob's. 
Tuesday night, preached on 1 John v. 21. Part of the time in 
which I was speaking, I found freedom ; but the rest of the time 
I felt but little comfort. Wednesday, rode to Cranston, about ten 
miles from Providence, and was kindly received in the house of 
General Lippett." On Friday night, in the house of his host, he 
preached on 2 Cor. v. 17. " I felt more than usual comfort in 
speaking. My heart was drawn out in love and pity towards my 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



265 



hearers. In this place the people know but little of the life and 
power of religion, and it is very seldom that they can get to any 
place of public worship. Seeing how destitute they are of the 
preaching of the gospel, I was brought again to pray earnestly 
that the Lord would send forth more labourers into His vineyard." 

On returning to Lynn, from a tour among the circuits of his dis- 
trict, in January 1792, Mr. Lee had the happiness to find Mr. 
Robert Bonsall, " who had just come from New York to preach the 
gospel," in connexion with Mr. Smith and himself, in the regions 
about # Boston. This was an occasion of great joy to him. And, 
after attending to some preliminary measures, he commenced a visi- 
tation of that part of his district lying in Connecticut. Passing 
through Boston and Needham, he visited, perhaps for the first time, 
Sterling and Wilbraham, where he " found the hearts of the people 
open to receive him." At Enfield, Connecticut, " religion had 
prospered, and a good class had been formed." He also visited 
East Windsor, Reading, Dantown, Middlesex, Wilton, Stratford, 
Hartford, Tolland, and Ellington, and many other places. In most 
of them great changes had been wrought, and he rejoiced that the 
Lord had prospered his work among the Methodists, since he last 
visited that part of the vineyard. In this trip he travelled more 
than five hundred miles, and in thirty-three days preached forty 
sermons. On reviewing it he writes, " When I look back on my 
late journey, I am constrained to acknowledge that the Lord has 
been with me. I have reason to hope that He has given me fresh 
strength and courage to go forward in His ways." 

The labour of the Conference year from May 1791 to August 
1792, is thus summed up : He had preached three hundred and 
twenty-one sermons, and delivered twenty-four public exhortations. 
He had travelled some portion of nearly every day, led classes, 
catechized the children — in one place there were nearly forty of 
them in a class — and visited and prayed with the people in their 
families ; and besides this he had read, in addition to the Bible, 
more than five thousand pages. And he also found time to keep a 
Diary of his labours and his experience of the things of God. It 
may gratify the curious, and will at least serve to show his 
taste in the selection of books, as well as his industry in reading 
them, to annex a catalogue of the works he read, with the number 



266 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



of pages they contained. They are as follows : The Saint's Ever- 
lasting Rest, pp. 399 ; Fletcher's Works, vols. i. and ii., pp. 330 and 
320 ; Preacher's Experience, pp. 370 ; Barclay's Apology for the 
Quakers, pp. 574; Sellon's Answer to Coles, pp. 347 ; Wesley's 
Funeral Sermon, by Whitehead, pp. 69 ; The Christian Pattern, 
pp. 306 ; Mrs. Rowe's Devout Exercises, pp. 214 ; A View of Reli- 
gion, by Hannah Adams, pp. 410; Garrettson's Experience, pp. 
252 ; Sweeting's Narrative, pp. 64 ; Marks of a Work of God, 
Edwards, pp. 45 ; Hammet's Appeal, pp. 24 ; Wesley's Notes, vols, 
i. ii. and iii., pp. 416, 349, and 342 ; Aristotle's Works, pp. 568 ; 
Tappan's Election Sermon, pp. 36 ; making a total of 5434. And 
when to all this it is added, he heard seventy-four sermons preached 
by other ministers, we have a result as creditable to his diligence, 
as it is worthy of imitation by all who desire to " make full proof 
of their ministry." 

The Conference for the extreme northern portion of the Church 
was held in Lynn, on the 1st of August, 1792.* Besides Bishop 
Asbury, there were eight ministers present, and in their business, 
as in their feelings, they were of one mind. The session, according 
to Bishop Asbury, commenced on Thursday and closed by the reli- 
gious services of the Sabbath. There was preaching every night. 
In the evening of the Sabbath a love-feast was held. " But to do 
good, forget not." The early Methodists seem never to have for- 
gotten this apostolic precept. 

At this Conference a new circuit was formed in Rhode Island, 
and called Providence ; and this, with Lynn, Boston, and Needham, 
constituted the district of which Mr. Lee had the supervision. The 
appointments previously under Mr. Lee's oversight were attached 
to a new district at the Conference preceding that of Lynn, and his 
first colleague in New England, Jacob Brush, was appointed Elder.* 
The Apostle of Methodism in New England was pushing his con- 
quests into " the regions beyond." Lynn, although under the 
pastoral care of Mr. Rainor, seems to have been the head-quarters 
of the district. The Elder, the father of Methodism in the place, 
was very fond of his children, made it the starting-point of his 
journeys, and the place of his rest when his work was done. Very 



* This is the date of the Minutes. Bishop Asbury says it commenced on the 
3d of August. 



THE REV. JESSE I, EE. 



267 



soon after the adjournment of Conference, he entered upon a tour 
of exploration into Rhode Island, for the purpose, it would seem, of 
finding preaching-places for the lately formed, perhaps more cor- 
rectly named, circuit. He visited and preached in the principal 
towns, and if he had no Societies, it is presumable he found places 
where under the blessing of God they were subsequently formed. 
Warren was one of these places, and in the Minutes for 1793, we 
find Providence substituted by Warren as the name of the circuit, 
and fifty-eight Church members reported as the fruit of God's bless- 
ing upon the labour of His servants. Like the great Apostle of the 
Gentiles, Mr. Lee was fond of carrying the message of Christ into 
strange places — he cared not to enter into " other men's labours." 
It was a pious ambition to break the first bush,* and cultivate new 
fields — to be the pioneer of his brethren. And in his department 
of Methodism he suffered no one to take his crown from him. Re- 
turning from Rhode Island, he writes : " When I consider the 
goodness of God to me in this journey, I am constrained to call 
upon my soul to bless His holy name. I know I have found de- 
light in the service of God, and comfort among the people. I have 
had an opportunity of preaching to many who never heard a Me- 
thodist before. I have generally found satisfaction in labouring 
among such people as know but little about us." 

A Society had at length, and after almost incredible efforts, been 
formed in Boston. This event, so happy to Mr. Lee, occurred on 
the 13th of July, 1792, a few weeks previous to the Conference. 
At first only " a few joined." But " they soon began to increase 
in numbers ;" and felt the need, as they greatly desired it, of a 
house of worship they could call their own. On the 29th of Au- 
gust, Mr. Lee says : u Brother J. Corsden," the Preacher, " came 
to Lynn for me to go to Boston, to view a piece of ground that he 
was inclined to purchase to set a Meeting-House on. I went, but 
did not approve of the spot." They continued after this to worship 
in a hired house, and did not succeed in building a Church until 
the summer of 1795. 

* It was customary with the early Methodist Preachers, in their travels 
through the country, to break a bush at a fork of the road, or where they left it, 
to indicate their course to those who came after them. The side of the road on 
which the broken bush was found, pointed out the path to be followed. 



268 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



On the first of October, Mr. Lee left Lynn for Baltimore, the seat 
of the General Conference. Before leaving he preached a sermon 
full of interest to him and his hearers, both with regard to the sub- 
ject itself, and the occasion on which it was delivered. He ex- 
pected to extend his visit to his relations in Virginia, and would be 
absent from his flock for several months. They, in the mean time, 
bereft of his pious attention, and exposed to trials and persecutions, 
would need the solace and support of a constant reference to first 
principles, and a constant dependence mutually upon each other, 
and collectively upon God. To minister to their steadfastness in 
the truth of the gospel, and their Christian diligence in the hope of 
their calling, he preached a faithful sermon from these most appro- 
priate words : " Only let your conversation be as becometh the 
gospel of Christ, that whether I come to see you, or else be absent, 
I may hear of your affairs, and that ye stand fast in one spirit with 
one mind." Phil. i. 27. It was a season of deep and sanctified 
emotion, of mutual sorrow and grateful joy, in which heart mingled 
with heart, hope answered to hope, and faith working by love sung 
songs in the house of its pilgrimage and shouted victory and glory 
to God. 

« The General Conference assembled in Baltimore on the 1st of 
November, 1792. This was the first meeting of the kind since the 
Christmas Conference of 1784, at which the Church was organized. 
There was a general expectation among the Preachers that, owing 
to the great extent of the work, and the difficulty of coming from its 
remote points to a central meeting, this would be the last assem- 
blage of the kind. It was probably owing to the prevalence of this 
opinion, that the attendance was so general from all parts oiLj-he 
Connection.* It was also expected, and greatly desired by many, 
that some better and more acceptable measure for the general 
government of the Church, than the present composition of the 
Conference, or the unpopular and lately abandoned Council, would 
be. adopted for the future and more harmonious legislation of 
Methodism. An attempt had been made to obviate these difficul- 
ties. But upon trial it was found impracticable, and, in the judg- 
ment of Mr. Lee and others, dangerous to the unity and independ- 

* We can find no mention of the number present at this Conference, though 
all agree that the attendance was very large. 



THE KEY. JESSE LEE. 



269 



ence of the Church. This was the Council just referred to . _ la 
1 789, the Bishops intro ducedj]^ pl^p yf ,f»-to fin . Mj,.^ 
from the several districls. ^srej^^^ 

to meet at stated times for the purpose of forming rules and regula- 
tions government of the Church in all its departments. 
Tne^presentatTon of the plan created considerable opposition, but 
after a somewhat protracted debate, in the various Conferences, it 
was found to have a majority in its favour. After its adoption, the 
mode of its composition, its powers, and the regulations by which 
it was to be governed, were defined and settled. It was to con sist 
of " the Bishops and the Presiding Elders, provided the members 
who compose the Council be never fewer than nine." When 
assembled they were to " have authority to mature everything they 
might judge expedient. 1. To preserve the general union. 2. To^ 
render L ' n ^ f ^jJ e g e J v l g tne external form of worship similar in all the 
Societies through the continent. 3. To preserve th e essentials of 
the Methodist doctrines and discipline pure and uncorrupted. ^And, 
lastly, they were authorized to^matur e everyt h ing the y might see 
necessary for the good of the Church, and for the promoting and 
i mproving the co lleges ^ were large 
powers. But they were neutralized by a subsequent provision, 
w r hich, apart from the intrinsic defectiveness of the plan, foredoomed 
the measure to a certain and not distant death. It was enacted, per* 
haps " with malice aforethought," " that nr^bincr ^]\ ^ ,recfifafij 
as the resolution of the Council, unless it be assented to unani- 
mou sl y b y C ouncil ; and nothing so assented to by the Council, 
shall be binding in any district, till it has been agreed upon by a 

i — in mm jin»WTiariir^iitf>' tfUitirnwrimiit i. wNMnMSMMBMnHi*^- * «' 

majority of the Conference which is held for .that .district." There 
are strange contrasts in human actions. Measures intended to pre- 
serve life are sometimes found to contain the elements of decay and 
dissolution. It was so in the case of this plan for the conservation 
of the unity and preservation of Methodism, and the spirituality of 
its forms of worship. The legislation that granted power to the 
Council to preserve the essentials of discipline pure and uncor- 
rupted in all the Societies, provided also for the defeat of any, or all 
of its measures, in any district, by a single vote ; and left the dis- 
senting district to the uncensurable disregard of both the authority 
and laws of the Council. So far then was this plan from strength. 



3t *o 



270 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



ening the bonds of union and uniformity among the Societies, that 
it promoted discord and legalized non-confo rmity. It is not sur- 
prising, therefore, that the Council met only twice, in 1789 and 
1790, and then perished amidst general dissatisfaction, and without 
even the regrets of its first and warmest friends. From its incep- 
tion Mr. Lee was opposed to it. And at its first meeting, although 
not a member of it, he addressed a letter to ihe Council, in which 
he pointed out to the consideration of its members, the errors of the 
plan, and the evils it would produce in the Church. Buf he 
received_ small thanks for his manly independence in thus opposing 
iL. He received a letter in reply, in which he was informed that 
t he Council was one of the fundament als of Methodism, and if_he 
chose quietly to submit to the regulations of the discipline they were 
willing to retain him as a brother and fellow-labourer. But leaving 
him to infer thatif he did not, he might get out of the Church jvkh 
whatever measure of precipitation he might choose to exercise upon 
the occasion. This was rather cool treatment. " But it had no 
other effect than to confirm his opposition to the plan, not to its 
members, and to strengthen his purpose to seek its destruction by 
all the ardour with which he believed it to be, not a fundamental, 
as the Council chose to call it, but an evil excrescence upon the pure 
body of Methodism. Mr. Lee, at that early day, held that a repre- 
sentative General Conference was the only true and proper princi- 
ple for the composition of the legislative department of the Church. 
The Council, though claiming to be representative, was not so, 
either in form or in fact. It was composed of the Bishops and 
Presiding Elders, and these Elders were appointed and removed by 
the Bishops exclusively, and at their pleasure. And he was always 
for guarding power by wise balances and judicious checks. A 
delegation from each Conference; elected by its members, was the 
plan he desired to see adopted ; and notwithstanding the unceremo- 
nious rejection of his letter and himself, by the Council of 1789, 
he maintained his position and his principles ; and in J u ly 1791 J 
submitted a plan for a delegated General Conference m 1792 to * 
Bjsh op As bury. In a subsequent portion of this work we ' snail 
find him assisting in the completion of these views as a member of 
the committee that drafted the restrictive articles, commonly called 
the Constitution, and gave to the Church, in 1812, its first delegated 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



271 



General Conference. There may have been an earlier advocate 
of such a measure, but we have not discovered it. 

The Council had not assembled since December 1790 ; and, 
on their adjournment then, they appointed their next meeting to be 
held at Cokesbury or Baltimore, in December 1792. The period 
of its meeting had arrived ; but the Council was as devoid of au- 
thority as it was acd in the affections of the Church. Whatever 
may ha\e been the opinions of those composing it, as to the utility 
and efficiency of the plan, it is very certain, if the opinions of the 
great majority of the Preachers and people are to be taken as an 
indication, that it had become exceedingly disagreeable. And it is 
a significant fact that, although it was expected that some of the 
Preachers would try to revive it in the General Conference, it was 
not even so much as mentioned with pleasure or approbation. "All 
showed a disposition to drop the Council, and all things belonging 
thereto." Indeed, " the Bishop requested that the name of the 
Council might not_be mentioned in the Conference." It was dead — 
Mr. Lee was present at its burial — and, it is probable, remembered 
the captious manner with which the Council of 1789 had charged 
him with " making so many objections to the fundamentals of Me- 
thodism." His triumph had come ; and it was complete. He j 
enjoye^ it in silence. 

The first and principal business of this Conference was the re- 
vision of the Discipline of the Church. This was thoroughly done, 
both with respect to the subject-matter of the Discipline as a manual 
of Christian duty, and as to the form and arrangement of the book 
itself. But the revision did not affect the fundamental laws or doc- 
, trines of the Church. The latter were explained and defended in 
\ ,■■ a series of tracts incorporated _ in_!he book. The former were mo- 
dified and strengthened according as, in practical operation, they 
had been found either defective or imperfect. In a prefatory 
address " to the Members of the Methodist Societies in the United 
States," written by the Bishops, they say : " We have made some 
little alterations in the present edition, yet such as affect not in any 
degree the essentials of our doctrines and discipline. We think 
ourselves obliged frequently to view and review the whole order of 
our Church, always aiming at perfection, standing on the shoulders 
of those who have lived before us, and taking the advantage of our 



272 THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 

f ormer selve s." It was this principle that guided them in modify, 
ing, strengthenings altering, or obliterating the rules and prudential 
regulations of the Church. They were the chief pastors of a spi- 
ritual people, anxious to have a pure and faultless Church ; and, 
possessed of full power in the premises, and " aiming at perfection,"- 
they remodelled their rules of moral regimen, enlarged and settled 
their penal code, and multiplied the ligaments that held the Socie- 
ties in fellowship with each other, and bound, the Church with 
cords of love to the Cause of the Crucified. For a full and de- 
tailed account of the proceedings of the Conference, in this revision 
of the Discipline, the reader is referred to Mr .JLee's History of the 
Methodists, or to Bangs's History of the M. E. Church, vol. i. pp. 
342-351 ; wheric-6 they are borrowed, without credit or confession 
of obligation. With respect to the doctrines of Methodism, so far 
as they formed a subject of consideration, the Bishops, in the 
address already referred to, say : " We wish to see this little publi- 
cation in the house of every Methodist ; and the more so, as it 
contains our plan of collegiate and Christian education, and the 
articles of religion maintained more or less, in part or in whole, 
by every Reformed Church in the world. We would likewise 
declare our real sentiments on the Scripture doctrine of election 
and. reprobation ; on the infallible, unconditional perseverance of 
all that ever have believed or ever shall ; on the doctrine of Chris- 
tian perfection ; and, lastly, on the nature and subjects of Christian 
baptism." And upon each of these doctrines, they did " declare 
their real sentiments," in language so plain, convincing, and unan- 
swerable, that they stand up to this day as proofs of their sound- 
ness in the faith, and of their ripeness in Scripture doctrine. Their 
descendants and successors, drinking at this fountain of health, 
have filled the country with the knowledge of these truths. In that 
hour, " the doctrines of grace," as they are strangely miscalled, of 
particular redemption, eternal election, eternal reprobation, infalli- 
ble perseverance, and indwelling sin, received a shock, under which 
they are still staggering to their final fall. 

During this general revision of Ihe Discipline, an amendment 
was introduced designed to effect a change in one of the fundamen- 
tal regulations of the Church ; and which, if successful, would, it is 
probable, have interrupted the progress, and altered the fortunes of 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



273 



Methodism in America. The ^ amend ment involved nothing less 

than the^nnihilatiQn of the itinerant system, by the destruction of 

t he Episcop al power in making the appointments. It proposed to 
give each minister the right to appeal from the Bishop to the Con- 
ference, and to the Conference the authority to veto the appoint- 
ment of the Bishop. This may not have been the design of its 
author, but it might have been predicted as its inevitable result. 
The amendment was introduced by the Rev. James O'Kelly, and 
was in the following words : 

" After the Bishop appoints the Preachers at Conference to their 
several circuits, if any one think himself injured by the appoint- 
ment, he shall have liberty to appeal to the Conference and state 
his objections, and if the Conference approve his objections, the 
Bishop shall appoint him to another circuit." 

Considering the mode of making these appointments as the only * 
feasible one for the maintenance of an itinerant system of preach- J 
ing the gospel, a more mischievous resolution can scarcely be con-| 
ceived of; and it is not surprising that it filled the Conference with,' 
strife and debate. At its opening a large majority seemed to ap- 
prove of the measure. It called forth the strongest minds of the 
Conference, and the debate was continued three days. As the 
question necessarily involved the administration of Bishop Asbury, 1 
he at an early stage of the debate very prudently retired from the s 
Conference, leaving Dr. Coke to preside until the question should 1 
be settled. At length, by one of those strokes of policy by which 
mischief is exposed and prevented, and the integrity of a great prin- 
ciple is preserved from injury, Mr. Dickens, one of the fathers of 
the Church, moved a division of the subject; thus, 1st. Shall the 
Bishop appoint the Preachers to the circuits 1 2d. Shall a Preacher 
be allowed an appeal ? The first question was carried without a 
dissenting voice. And the fate of the other soon followed — it was 
rejected by a large majority. It had been happy if all had acqui- 
esced in this decision. But, unfortunately, the author of the 
resolution, and a few of his friends, had identified their feelings 
with the subject, and their confidence in the Church perished with 
the loss of their favourite measure. The next day, on the opening 
of Conference, a letter was received from Mr. O'Kelly and' his 
partisans, in which, because of the loss of their resolution, they 
18 



274 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



declined any longer occupation of their seats as members. And 
every effort, by the appointment of a committee to confer with them, 
and a personal interview between Mr. O'Kelly and Dr. Coke, 
failed to pacify their feelings or change their determinations. They 
were fixed in their purpose — and it extended further and compre 
hended more than was conceived of by the Conference. A few 
days after- the issue of this matter in the Conference, Mr. O'Kelly 
and his adherents left the city, and returned to Virginia, in one dis- 
trict of which the leader of this matter had been labouring for ten 
years preceding his rupture with the Conference, and where, if he 
had succeeded with his amendment, he might have remained ten 
years longer, or during life. The fact here mentioned will show 
lie had no just occasion for a quarrel with the appointing power 
of the Church. Witnessing the abrupt departure of Mr. O'Kelly, 
Mr. Lee predicted " he would not be quiet long ; that he would try 
to be head of some party." A prediction that we shall 'soon see 
was fully verified. 

Although the withdrawal of Mr. O'Kelly and his party from 
the Conference was not a secession from the Church, yet it soon 
assumed that character. The Conference adjourned on the 14th 
of November ; and Bishop Asbury opened the Conference for the 
Virginia district on the 26th of the same month, in Manchester. 
During this Conference two of the disaffected party, W. McKen- 
dree and R. Haggard, sent him " their resignations in writing." 
These were probably accepted, but the Conference agreed to let 
their displeased brethren still preach among them. Bishop Asbury 
introduced the case of Mr. O'Kelly, and it was resolved, in con- 
sideration of his age and services, to allow him his annual salary 
of 40/., "as when he travelled in the Connexion, provided he was 
peaceable, and forebore to excite divisions among the brethren."* 
To this proposition Mr. O'Kelly acceded, and during a part of the 
year he received 'his salary. But the spirit of dissension w r as in 
him ; and he subsequently withdrew from the Church, and under- 
took the erection " of a new and pure Church." In this work his 
success was less than his anticipations. Still, if he had meditated 
mischief, he accomplished enough to gratify the taste of any one 

* Journal, vol. ii. p. 148. See also Snethen's Reply to O'Kelly's Apology, 
page 36. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



275 



whos;$ lust of evil is not set on fire of hell. It was as a traveller 
in the path of his ravages that Bishop Asbury, with his characte- 
ristic plainness of speech, says, " I was closely employed in read- 
ing ' The Curse of Divisions.' " And a curse it was to one of the 
fairest portions of Methodism, — arresting its progress, blighting its 
fruits, and drying up the green things of its heritage with the 
drought of summer. During its prevalence revivals ceased, the 
love of many waxed cold, brother strove with brother, the 
Churches were filled with strife, and the pulpits rung with contro- 
versy, debate, and contention. Under these circumstances of dis- 
cord it is not surprising to witness a great falling away from the 
Church. In the years of its greatest influence, 1793-4-5, there 
was a clear loss in the membership of the Church of 7352. But, 
although this loss was so great, there is no sufficient reason to be- 
lieve " The Republican Methodists," as they were then called, had 
met with corresponding success. It has been the aim of some wri- 
ters to show that there were numerous accessions to Methodism 
during this period, and that the loss of the Church was so much 
greater in proportion to the amount of these accessions. And 
therefore the gain of O'Kelly was proportionally great. But this 
argument is unsupported by any facts we have been able to dis- 
cover. There is no authority for the opinion that the loss of 
Methodism in these years of strife was to any considerable extent 
the gain of the new party. And it is extremely doubtful whether, 
at any period of their history, the followers of O'Kelly ever reached 
as high as the actual loss of the Church in the years we are now 
reviewing. In some places, whole Societies united with him ; but 
geuerally they were parts of Societies, and isolated individuals. A 
very few of the itinerant ministers seceded with him, and of these 
some returned to the bosom of the Church. Of Local Preachers, 
it seems many embraced his cause, but they were local still ; and 
the elements of discord and disunion were soon developed in his 
Societies. These causes, with others hereafter to be noticed, in- 
duced a state of things that through premature decline and gradual 
decay brought a general disruption of the bands of fellowship, and 
an early dissolution of a Society born in strife and fostered at so 
great an expense of truth, justice, and love. 

It was not long after his secession from the Church, before Mr. 



276 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



O'Kelly published a small pamphlet, entitled " The Author'a 
Apology for Protesting against the Methodist Episcopal Govern- 
ment." It was signed " Christicola." It was written after the 
manner of the Chronicles of Scripture, and abounds with misrepre- 
sentations of Methodism, perversions of plain facts in its history, 
and abuse of Bishop Asbury. Indeed, this last seems to have 
been the moving spring, as it is the pervading feature of the book. 
Soon after its appearance, Bishop Asbury commenced the collection 
of materials to expose the statements of the book, and to vindicate 
his own reputation from its aspersions. He, however, as his 
personal friends very soon corrected the misrepresentations con- 
cerning himself, was spared the necessity of a defence. Public 
opinion soon settled the question as to the estimate to be placed 
upon the testimony of a man who, from a warm friend, had been 
changed into an implacable foe. Still, many of his reflections upon 
the history and polity of Methodism demanded correction ; and 
the Bishop, after counselling with his friends, submitted his ma- 
terials to the Conference, for such use as to them might seem 
proper. The papers were accepted, and referred to a committee 
of three, with authority to prepare them for publication. Only one 
of these acted ; and he, the Rev. Nicholas Snethen, in " A Reply 
to an Apology," &c, has not only vindicated Methodism, but placed 
the pretended facts and groundless assertions of Mr. O'Kelly in a po- 
sition so variant from truth, as to leave the character of their author 
more in need of an Apology than was the mere fact of his ceasing 
to be a Methodist. This Reply called forth " A Vindication of an 
Apology" from Mr. O'Kelly, and that was met by " An Answer 
to James O'Kelly 's Vindication of his Apology," &c, by Mr. 
Snethen. A careful examination of both of Mr. Snethen's works, 
has left us without surprise that the schism was arrested; and 
Methodism, after the lapse of a few years, restored to tranquillity 
regained its ground, and stood fairer and firmer than before the 
commencement of these troubles. 

Mr. Lee was not an unconcerned spectator of the scenes con- 
sequent upon this division. An actor in the debates which issued 
in the secession of Mr. O'Kelly, and familiar with his character, 
he apprehended and predicted the course of the leader of this 
schism in American Methodism. On another ground he was 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



277 



deeply interested in the progress of the events of this period of 
the history of the Church. The fire of this excitement was 
ravaging the land of his birth, his homestead, and its inmates 
were exposed to its pernicious influence ; and though he was 
occupied in a distant province of Methodism, he deplored it as a 
calamity to Christianity, as much as a disaster to the Church of 
his choice and hope. And so impressed was he with the im- 
portance of relieving the character of Bishop Asbury, and the 
honourable fame of Methodism, from the attacks and imputations 
of Mr. O'Kelly, that he not only meditated a reply to his book, 
but actually entered upon the preparation of such a vindication as 
in his judgment was demanded by the nature and grounds of the 
attack. He had also a personal reason for this attempt : he was 
personally referred to, and represented as a party in the schemes 
of the author of the Apology previous to their developement at, 
and subsequent to the General Conference of 1792. In the 
peculiar style adopted by Mr. O'Kelly as the medium of com- 
municating his opinions to the public, he had, in Chapter x. 
verse 1, introduced Mr. Lee as helping him in his schemes 
to break down the authority of Bishop Asbury, and subvert 
the government of the Church. " And it came to pass after 
these things, and Francis (Asbury) had gone on his way to 
the District Conferences towards the North, I wrote several 
letters to the different Conferences, through the medium of 
the President Elders, and Brother Jesse (Lee) helped me" 
This was too grave a charge against Mr. Lee's affection for the 
Bishop and his fealty to Methodism, to be suffered in silence. He 
accordingly commenced a reply, more, however, if we may judge 
from the fragment that has been preserved, for the defence 
of the Bishop and the Church, than for the vindication of him- 
self. Apart from what is due to the reputation of Mr. Lee, this 
fragment is important for its bearing upon the history of the times, 
and as an exponent of the opinions of a careful observer, familiar 
with the principles and operations of the Church, and one, too, who 
was as honest in his opinions as he was fearless in stating and 
maintaining them. For these reasons, and in the hope of its afford- 
ing some assistance to any future historian of Methodism, it is 
given, with a few unimportant omissions, just as it stands in the 



278 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



manuscript. It is proper, however, to remark, that it seems merely 
a first sketch, consisting of notes, penned at the time of reading the 
Apology, unpolished and imperfect. Nor does it seem to have 
entered into the design of Mr. Lee to do more than correct Mr. 
O'Kelly, and set in order the facts so strangely perverted or con- 
cealed by him. Hence he omits many debateable though irrele- 
vant matters. And it begins and ends abruptly. 

" The first division among the Methodists that you had any hand 
in making, according to your own account, was ' about the year 
1779,' Ch. i. v. 15-17, when you were but a young preacher, 
and no doubt but something of the schismatic pains have followed 
you from that day till now. 

" ' Chap. iii. 1. The travelling preachers were called together in 
the great city of Baltimore, in 1784.' I was not at that Conference, 
not hearing of it in time ; but as you were ordained at that time 
you returned (to Virginia) quite satisfied, and defended the pro- 
ceedings of the Conference, which plan you now loathe and abhor." 

" ' Chap. iii. 10. The Conference unanimously agreed to submit 
to John of England in matters of Church government, but we did 
not.' What you mean here I cannot tell. You first say 6 we 
agreed to submit,' and then say, ' but we did not.' Do you mean 
that you did not agree, or that you did not comply with your pro- 
mise 1 If the former you speak wrongly, and if the latter you acted, 
wrongly, unless the promise was first taken away, or out of date. 

" ' Chap. iv. 3. Francis was opposed to a joint Superintendent.' 
This is not true, for he had the Doctor (Coke) for a joint Superintend- 
ent, as you admit in Ch. ii. 13. You opposed the receiving of the 
person (Whatcoat) appointed by Wesley, and would not consent to 
it. You acknowledge that you opposed it in saying, £ I did not 
consider the person adequate to the task, on account of his age, 
and also that he was a stranger to the wilderness of America. But 
above all urged that two heads would produce two bodies.' Ch. 
iv. 5. Here it is clearly proved that you are guilty of what you 
charge upon the Bishop. However, we see that the thing which 
you feared is come upon you. Job iii. 25. And, notwithstanding 
you were not one of the heads, yet you have made a body ; but it 
is a body without a head, and, of course, it is a monster. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



279 



" In the same chapter, v. 8, you seem to be displeased at a pre- 
vailing report that you left the Methodists because you could not 
obtain the place of a Bishop. Whoever said this of you I know 
not. But there is no doubt in the minds of several of your acquaint- 
ances, that you were both dissatisfied and displeased at not being 
made a Bishop. However, I do not believe you left on that ac- 
count only, for I believe you left us both in affection and doctrine 
before you declared yourself a Republican. And if you had be- 
lieved firmly with us, on the doctrine of the Trinity, you would 
not have left us just at the time, and in the manner you did. But 
being captivated with the doctrine of Svvedenborg — that there is not 
a Trinity of persons but of characters in the Godhead, and that the I 
title of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, all belonged to Christ, and ] 
that no other person was concerned in the Trinity, your mind j 
became evilly affected towards your brethren, and from that time 
it is supposed you began to look out for a way to make your escape 
from us. 

" You say in the same chapter, v. 9. 'About the year 1787, 
Francis directed the Preachers that whenever they wrote to him to 
title him Bishop. They did : and this was the beginning of our 
spurious Episcopacy.' Is this true? The Bishop says he never 
gave such directions. I was at Conference when a motion was J 
made for all our Preachers to direct their letters to each other in as 
plain a manner as they could ; and they thought it would be best 
to leave oat Rev. and Mr., and direct them thus : A. B. Bishop, 
or C. D. Elder, or E. F. Deacon, or G. H. Preacher in the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church. But this was not the order of any man in 
particular. It was the conclusion of Conference, and yet every 
person was left at liberty to direct his letters differently if he chose. 
And it is very strange that you should declare the directing of 
letters was ' the beginning of our spurious Episcopacy.' Our Epis- 
copacy was acknowledged in 1784, and you here say it was begun in 
1787. What a hard shift you are driven to in order to vent your 
spite ! 

" In the 15th verse, you say 'Francis took with him a few chosen 
men, and in a clandestine manner expelled John, whose surname 
was Wesley, from the Methodist Episcopal Church.' Worse and 



280 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



worse. This is telling a lie without cover.* To tell the truth 
about the matter (as I was at the Conference, and you were not) 
it was as follows : At the Conference in Baltimore (1787), the 
Bishops had a private meeting, with the Elders of the Conference, 
in a private house, to consult about receiving the person whom Mr. 
Wesley had appointed to be a joint Superintendent with Mr. Asbury, 
when some of the company was opposed to receiving him. And 
it was argued that we had promised to ' submit to Mr. W esley, in 
all matters of Church government and, according to promise, we 
were obliged to accept the person appointed by Mr. Wesley. It 
was then determined to leave out (of the Minutes) that promise. 
And notwithstanding Mr. Wesley's power was abridged in America, 
we did not break fellowship with him ; but wrote an humble peti 
tion to him to come and visit his children ; and, for some time, we 
were in great hopes of a visit from him. How, then, could you 
assert that Mr. Wesley was expelled, when you knew it was 
not true ! And you say it was done £ in a clandestine manner. 
This is not so. It was done in open Conference. What the Bish- 
ops and Elders did in private was, to consult as to what was for 
the best; and then, like honest men, they laid the matter before 
the Conference : and the Conference agreed with them to abridge 
Mr. Wesley's power of appointing men to govern our Church, with- 
out our choice. This thing was not done by Francis, but by the 
Conference. And this was according to your desire ; for, in the 
7th verse of this chapter, you say of this matter, ' Francis pro- 
posed for the Baltimore Conference to decide the dispute ; to which 
we all agreed. 'I Here you acknowledge you agreed to leave it to 

* This is plain language, but it is true : and it is sustained by all the facts 
in the case ; and justified by the groundless statements of O'Kelly. 

t Mr. O'Kelly here referred to the debate respecting the question of receiving 
Mr. Whatcoat as a Bishop upon the appointment of Mr. Wesley, at the Vir- 
ginia Conference at Rough Creek Church, in 1787. Here he strenuously 
opposed the measure. His charge of the Bishop's opposition to a joint super - 
intendency is groundless ; and the Bishop's vindication is complete and unas- 
sailable. The following testimony, extracted from Mr. Snethen's Reply, puts 
this matter perfectly at rest. 

"When T. Coke and Mr. Asbury met in Charleston (in 1787), T. Coke 
informed him, that Mr. Wesley had appointed R. Whatcoat as a joint Superin- 
tendent, and Mr. Asbury acquiesced in the appointment ; as did the Charleston 
Conference, when it was laid before them. T. Coke proposed the appointment 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



281 



that Conference ; and, after they settled it, you rise up and say it 
was done ' in a clandestine manner.' Lord, what is man ! The 
truth is: 1. Mr. Wesley was never expelled from the Methodist 
Church. 2. What was done in restricting his power in that par- 
ticular case, was done by the Conference. 3. It was done accord- 
ing to your wish ; for you were against receiving the man Mr. 
Wesley had appointed. Here it is proved you were more active 
than the rest of your brethren in abridging the power of Mr. Wes- 
ley ; and yet you try to make the world believe that you were 
ignorant of the matter, and opposed to the step that was taken. 

' Lord, how this world is given to lying !' 

" In chapter vii., 9th verse, speaking of the resolutions of the 
Council (of 1789), of which you were a member, and after its 
proceedings were published, you say : ' I found myself deceived, 
and the Church imposed on,' by the Council. While you were 

to the Virginia Conference, and, to his great pain and disappointment, James 
O'Kelly most strenuously opposed it; but consented that the Baltimore Con- 
ference might decide it, upon condition that the Virginia Conference might 
send a deputy to explain their sentiments. 

Signed, T. COKE. 

January 7, 1796. 

"I perfectly remember, that Mr. O'Kelly opposed the appointment of R. 
Whatcoat ; and that Mr. Asbury said enough to him and me, to convince us 
that he was not opposed to the appointment. ( a > 

PHILIP BRUCE. 

Norfolk, November 30, 1796. 

" Mr. Asbury was not opposed to my being joint Superintendent with him- 
self. After receiving Mr. Wesley's letter, he wrote to me from Charleston, 
upon the subject. As I have not the letter by me at present, I cannot give the 
contents verbatim ; but as well as I recollect, the conclusion was — 'And if so, 
you must meet me at the Warm Springs, and we will make out a plan for your 
route through the Continent.' 

Signed, R. WHATCOAT." 

(°) Mr. Lee in his Review quotes, upon this subject, the following from a letter 
from Mr. Bruce : " Mr. O'Kelly and myself were the only persons who spoke 
on the subject — (at Rough Creek Conference) — of receiving a Bishop upon Mr. 
Wesley's appointment; and when the Doctor pushed the subject, Mr. O'K. 
told him, the more he urged the subject the more his fears were alarmed. That 
Mr. Asbury never opened his mouth on the subject while it was in debate. 
And that Mr. O'K. was to write to the Baltimore Conference." 



282 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



in Council assembled, my letter was received and read to tho 
Council ; in which I pointed out many errors in the plan of the 
Council, and suggested evils that would probably accrue from 
it; and I received the following answer, signed by most of the 
members of the Council, and your name was among the rest : 

" ' In Council, Baltimore, December 7, 1789. 
« « Very dear Bro. : " We are both grieved and surprised to 
find that you make so many objections to the very fundamen- 
tals of Methodism. But we consider your want of experience 
in many things, and therefore put the best construction on your 
intention. You are acquainted with the Discipline of the Methodist 
Church : if you can quietly labour among us under our Discipline 
and rules, we cheerfully retain you as our Brother .and fellow-la 
bourer, and remain yours in sincere affection. 

« < JAMES O'KELLY, and others.' 

" Here we see how fierce you were upon me about the Council, 
because I honestly told you what I disliked. But after you had 
united with your brethren in adopting certain measures, you hurried 
back to Virginia and began to exclaim against the resolutions you 
had helped to form, and so began contentions among the private 
people. You complained heavily of me, and indirectly threatened 
to turn me out of Church if I was not quiet, because I wrote to the 
Preachers the objections I had to make ; and then you yourself 
began to exclaim bitterly against your own plan, and to lay all the 
blame upon those who were united with you. In this is fulfilled the 
saying of the Apostle, 2 Tim. hi. 2 : " For men shall be lovers 
of their own selves." 

"Chapter x. v. 1. You say 'I wrote several letters to the dif- 
ferent Conferences through the medium of the President Elders, and 
Brother Jesse helped me a little.' Wherein I helped you I can- 
not tell, unless it was in writing to the Council. And if that helped 
you, I am sure you ought to have asked my pardon for intimating 
that you would turn me out from among you if I was not quiet. If 
I helped you by writing against your plan in 1789, I hope I shall 
help you to see and understand things better by writing against 
you also at this time." 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



283 



Here end our quotations from the manuscript. To its full extent it is 
a complete refutation of the Apology. Whether it was ever completed, 
we cannot speak certainly. From an unfinished sentence at the 
foot of the last page, we may safely conclude it to have been 
larger. We are happy in rescuing so much of it from oblivion, 
especially as it throws light upon some facts of our earlier history, 
and confirms contemporaneous evidence upon others. It is obvious 
that Mr. Lee had very little confidence in the integrity of Mr. 
O'Kelly, and it would seem the author of the Apology must have 
calculated largely upon the indifference of his former companions, 
or have been strangely defective in memory or conscience, before 
venturing to put forth as an apology for schism, a work so full of 
error with respect to facts, and so self-contradictory in its princi- 
ples and statements. 

The success of Mr. O'Kelly in gaining proselytes from Metho- 
dism was comparatively small. It is believed to have been less in 
making converts from the world. Still, although partial, it was 
full of disaster to the cause of religion, and a deadly evil to the 
souls of multitudes. The picture of these evils, drawn by Mr. 
Lee, is affecting to the pious mind. It is full of sad memorials. 
The children of the Church were transformed into aliens and stran- 
gers. Friends were turned into enemies. Brother differed with 
brother, and children and parents stood opposed to each other. 
Societies were ruptured, friendships severed, the bonds of affection 
were broken — questions of Church government absorbed the inter- 
ests of religion ; and personal piety, devoid of present peace, and 
without provision for future need, gleaned in a vintage that the 
necessities of former years had left without fruit even in the top- 
most branches. Pious duties were neglected, and the means of 
grace abandoned, and, as a natural consequence, backslidings were 
numerous and awful. Sad inroads were made upon the peace and 
unity of Methodism by this needless schism. But God mercifully 
interposed for the people whom he had raised up, and by the revi- 
val of his work, as well as by turning to foolishness the counsel of 
O'Kelly, peace was restored to the Church, and long years of 
prosperity again blessed the labours of God's chosen servants. 

The causes mainly contributing to the failure of this effort to 
rend the body of Christ, are palpable, and cannot fail to interest 



284 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



the student of Ecclesiastical history. They are to be found in the 
character of the leader of the schism, and in the doctrinal heresy 
it was his purpose to propagate. Separately, they are sufficient to 
ruin the best intentioned efforts ; but combined as they were in the 
O'Kellyan schism, they were without elements to attract the heart, 
or power to influence the mind. And hence it failed — miserably 
failed to benefit its own partisans, or to promote, in any sense, the 
public good. 

In referring to the character of Mr. O'Kelly as a cause of his 
failure to build up a party, it is not intended to impeach him as a 
religious man, except in so far as his doctrinal errors may subject 
his Christian character to suspicion. Believing that goodness of 
heart and sincerity of religious principle are compatible, and often 
mixed with serious heresies, we may very safely regard Mr. O'Kelly 
as, in this respect, a good man, without endorsing his capability to 
lead such a movement as he had the temerity to set on foot. It is 
in his character as a leader that we must perceive the existence of 
elements that would preclude the possibility of success. From his 
own statements in his Apology, he had long been disaffected to 
Methodism; and, if honest in his hostility, he must have meditated 
secession previous to the defeat of his Appeal measure at the Gene- 
ral Conference of 1792.* And yet his whole subsequent history 
presents him as a leader without system, a reformer without a fixed 
object or a definite plan. For popular effect he assumed, for him- 
self and his followers, the appellation of Republican Methodists. It 
was at a time of high political excitement between the Republicans 
and Federalists. In Virginia the former were very popular ; and 
it was a political advantage to be a Republican. The fortunes of 
O'Kellyism depended upon the smile of the populace. These smiles 
were only given to Republicans ; and whatever else the new party 
might be with respect to Methodism, they were to be Republicans 
in religion. This principle prevailed in the government of the new 
system ; and it seems to have formed an element of their organiza- 

* A series of letters at the close of Mr. Snethen's second pamphlet, from a 
Preacher for some years intimate with Mr. O'Kelly, will confirm this opinion, 
and also prove him to have looked with no small anxiety to the Episcopal office. 
Indeed, his bitterness against it must have been prompted by mortified am- 
bition. 



THE RET. JESSE LEE. 



285 



tion. For, in a few years, when perhaps Republicanism, as a 
principle of political cohesiveness, had waned in the popular esti- 
mation, they attempted a correction of their false movement, and 
after gravely discarding it, they assumed, in 1801, the name of 
the Christian Church. Again, as an evidence of the incapacity of 
Mr. O'Kelly for the task of reforming the Church, we find, that at 
their first meeting, " at the Mannakin Town, on the 25th day of 
December, 1793,* they formally adopted a constitution for their 
government in Ecclesiastical affairs. And at a subsequent period 
they threw human constitutions to the winds, " renounced all rules 
of Church government," adopted the New Testament as their rule, 
and reduced their former constitution and laws to the condition of 
mere advisory regulations. These changes of title and law pro- 
duced great commotions. Many were opposed to them. Some 
clung to the old standards ; others thought to remodel them ; and 
others, with the presiding genius of the whole movement at their 
head, went out in search of new things. Divisions came ; and to 
settle the strife new parties were created. Ministers separated from 
the Conferences, the people followed them. New measures were 
attempted and failed. Dissension was succeeded by distrust $ and 
confusion, seizing the reins, drove them headlong down the steep of 
time into the gulf of oblivion. 

But, in examining the causes of such a defeat, we may not omit a 
brief notice of the doctrinal error that pervaded, like a lurking poison, 
the whole system of Mr. O'Kelly. As already seen, he was a 
heretic — a rejecter of one of the chief doctrines of revealed religion. 
He denied the distinct personality of the Holy Trinity. He af- 
firmed that instead of distinct persons in the Godhead, the terms 
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, were only intended to represent three 
offices of one glorious and Eternal Being. It was a favourite ex- 
pression, as we learn from a living contemporary, that " God was 
Father from eternity, Redeemer in time, and Sanctifier for ever- 
more." This was " the dead fly" in his doctrinal system. In the 
presence of an error so profound with respect to the Trinity, and 
so pervasive in the ministrations of the pulpit, as this must have 

* A manuscript copy of this Constitution, now before me, bears this title : 
" The Constitution of the Republican Methodists." Its system of government 
is meagre and imperfect. 



286 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



been, it is not surprising to find the ministry of the new party in- 
efficient for the comfort of its partisans and the awakening of sin- 
ners. Indeed, it forms a striking fact in the history of the secession, 
that whatever else it may have effected, it did very little for the 
conversion of sinners. And no marvel. There is not in the com- 
pass of such a creed, properly understood, a solitary element of the 
doctrine that is according to godliness, — the doctrine of atonement 
by Jesus Christ, and of regeneration by the Holy Spirit. The de- 
nial of the distinct personal existence of Father, Son, and Holy 
Ghost in one glorious Godhead, divests Atonement of its efficacy, 
and Divinity of its grandeur ; and leaves the sinner unjustified be- 
fore God, shut up to the necessity of unbelief, and bound in chains 
of hopeless impenitence. A Church built upon such a foundation 
could not be said to have the breath of spiritual life. It might be 
full of dead men's bones. And, without belying its creed, no breath 
of God could breathe life and joy and hope into their dead carcasses. 
Yet such was the creed of O'Kelly. We dare not say its members 
were not saved ; but we declare our conviction that the party was 
compelled to die. Great and awful as was this heresy, Mr. O'Kelly 
had for some years succeeded in concealing it from the body of the 
ministry. But it was known to a few ; and one of them was pre- 
pared to impeach him for his heretical sentiments, when he so sud- 
denly abandoned the Conference in 1792.* It is not improbable 
but his apprehension of arrest may have precipitated his rupture 
with the Conference, and his flight from the city. He knew the 
Church would not tolerate a heresy such as he had embraced, and 
foreseeing the evil of impeachment and the certainty of conviction, 
he hid himself by retiring beyond the jurisdiction of the Conference. 
He was in a strait betwixt expulsion and secession ; and he chose 
the latter, for the compound purpose of prolonging his ministerial 
existence and of propagating his favourite, but unfortunate notion 
of the Trinity. 

The subsequent history of this mournful affair is briefly told. 
Unrelieved by any nearer approach to truth, and unenlivened by 
the blessing of God vouchsafed to faithful and holy men, it continued 
to descend in the scale of religious influence, until the zeal of its 



Hist. Methodists, p. 180. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



287 



first love was extinct ; and then, with its body of death — a heresy 
that precluded spiritual life — pressing upon an imperfect organiza- 
tion, its efforts circumscribed, and its numbers lessened, it dragged 
out a few years of inefficiency, and expired as a system of organ- 
ized religion. Or, if not entirely extinct, it exists only in detached 
and powerless fragments, so transmuted by time and men's opinions 
that its author's hand is not seen, his name scarcely remembered 
by the party he formed, and he himself might question its identity 
or dispute its pretensions. It is due, however, to truth, to add that 
Mr. O'Kelly seems to have retained, to the latest period of his life, 
unabated confidence in the purity and power of his system. In age 
and feebleness his hope in the work of his hands did not desert him. 
He went down to the grave, according to one of his followers, sa- 
tisfied with the past, and peaceful and trusting with respect to the 
future.* He departed this life on the 16th of October, 1826, in the 
ninety-second year of his age. 

For the purpose of completing our review of the O'Kellyan schism, 
we have extended this chapter far in advance of the history of Mr. 
Lee ; and have even omitted some notices of the General Confer- 
ence of 1792, that properly belong to this portion of the work. 
But the course we have adopted was deemed better for the reader. 
And so far as the other proceedings of the General Conference may 
fall into our plan, they can be introduced hereafter without detri- 
ment to our arrangement, or loss of interest to any who may feel 
anxious to examine them. 

* See a brief obituary, by Rev. John P. Lemay, attached to an edition of the 
Apology, published in Hillsborough, N. C, in 1829. 



288 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



CHAPTER VIII. 

FROM THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1792, TO THE GEN- 
ERAL CONFERENCE OF 1796. 

Mr. Lee visits Virginia — Witnesses the Effects of the O'Kellyan Agitation in 
Virginia — Returns to New England — Lynn — Tour on his District — Confer- 
ence in Lynn — Appointed to " Province of Maine" — Enters his Work — 
Forms a Circuit — Trials — A new District — Defects of Health and Faith — 
Courtesy of a Baptist — Inhospitable Treatment — First Church in Rhode Island 
— Spiritual Ignorance — Good Fruits — First Society in Maine — Anecdote — 
Nearly perishes from Cold — Shouting Scene in the Road — Great Spiritual 
Destitution — A powerful Meeting — A dancing Baptist — Island of Martha's 
Vineyard — A Backslider reclaimed — Birth-day Feelings — Antinomianism 
rebuked — New Brunswick — First Church in Maine — Conference in New 
London — Stationed in Boston — Lays the Corner-stone of a Church — On the 
Commons — Mob in Provincetown — A Calvinist in a Dilemma — A Quarrel; 
or, Preaching vs. Dancing — Losing a Will — Schism in Charleston, S. C. — 
General Conference in 1796 — Revision — Boundaries of Conferences — Deed 
of Settlement — Chartered Fund — Local Preachers — Grant of Ordination — 
Episcopacy of Dr. Coke — Mr. Lee's Views and Participation in the Confer- 
ence Business — His Character by a Contemporary. 

The secession of Mr. O'Kelly and his adherents, of which a 
somewhat detailed account is given in the preceding chapter, occa- 
sioned sincere grief in the General Conference. They could not 
part with an old fellow-soldier of the cross without feeling. " Many 
of the Preachers wept heartily," as Mr. Lee testifies in his Jour- 
nal, when his letter, announcing his intention to leave the travel- 
ling connexion, was read in the Conference. And for himself, he 
says : "It was a sorrowful day to me, yet I could say the will of 
the Lord be done." Mr. O'Kelly had occupied an important post, 
and filled a large place in the confidence and affections of Metho- 
dism. But much as they loved him, they loved the Church more. 
And they could part with him, sooner than surrender an important 
principle of their Ecclesiastical economy. Between two such evils 
there could be no hesitation in choosing, and subsequent events 
confirmed the wisdom of their choice. After this affair, nothing 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



289 



occurred to disturb the harmony of the body. On the afternoon 
of the 15th, they adjourned " in much love and friendship ;" and 
at night Dr. Coke, about to return to England, preached a farewell 
sermon that left a subdued and hallowing impression upon the 
minds of these servants of the Most High God. 

Leaving Baltimore, Mr. Lee turned his steps toward his father's 
house. It was nearly five years since he left the paternal roof ; 
and during his absence his mother had departed to the place of her 
rest, with the redeemed and happy in heaven. In his journey he 
attended two Conferences, one in Alexandria, and the other in 
Manchester. He also spent a Sunday in Richmond, and, in the 
afternoon, preached in the Capitol, on 1 Pet. ii. 2. " I suppose," 
he remarks, " I had more than half of the members of the Gene- 
ral Assembly to hear me, and many of them appeared to be very 
attentive : I felt great freedom in speaking. I am sure the Lord 
was in the midst of us. My own heart was much melted within 
me. I felt a hope that some good was done in the name of the 
Lord Jesus." The next day he attended Conference in Manches- 
ter. It was here the events respecting Mr. O'Kelly, and the 
withdrawal of some of the Preachers, previously referred to, trans- 
pired. Bishop Asbury seems to have anticipated an unpleasant ses- 
sion, as he had entered the district over which Mr. O'Kelly had so 
long presided. But in this he was happily disappointed. He 
" met the Preachers in band, and found their fears greatly re- 
moved : union and love prevailed, and all things went on well.'' 
In closing his business here, the Bishop remarks : " The General 
Conference and the district Conferences have kept us a long time 
from our work : but after all Satan's spite, I think our sifting and 
shaking will be for good : I expect a glorious revival will take 
place in America, and thousands be brought to God." 

After spending some days with his brothers and their families, 
several of whom resided in Petersburg, Mr. Lee reached his 
father's on the last day of the year, and preached on Rom. xiii. 12: 
" The night is far spent , the day is at hand : let us therefore cast 
off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light" 
The subject was appropriate to the period; but the fact of his 
preaching is mentioned because it serves to illustrate the habits of 
the early Methodist Preachers ; in their readiness to preach always 
19 



290 



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and everywhere — instant in season and out of season — a habit 
that, perhaps, more than anything else, secured to them the appel- 
lation of Preachers, rather than that of parson, minister, or clergy- 
man. And they deserved the title, not more from the frequency 
of their preaching, than from their ability to preach; and, in de- 
pendence upon the effectual working of the Spirit, from their al- 
most exclusive reliance upon preaching for the accomplishment of 
the work whereunto they were called. Certainly they did not rely 
upon the Sacraments, nor Church authority, for their success in 
bringing souls to God. They felt inwardly moved to preach the 
gospel, and they knew that it was by the preaching of the cross 
that men were to be saved — and they were preachers in the true 
apostolic sense of the term, who loved to preach the kingdom of 
God, and by whose preaching the kingdom of God was established 
in these lands. 

In social and Christian intercourse with his friends and relations, 
Mr. Lee spent nearly a month ; and, during the time, he preached 
seventeen sermons, and " attended many other meetings." There 
was but one abatement to the pleasures of this visit to his early 
home ; there was a sad declension in religion. Hearts once warm 
with holy love, souls once inflamed with heavenly zeal, were now 
lukewarm, if not cold and dead. First love was gone, and the 
Church was fruitless. A season of barrenness and desolation had 
succeeded the long years of refreshing with which the Church in 
Virginia had been favoured ; and they were now drinking of the 
bitter cup, that neglect of duty and declension from God puts to 
the lips of a Christian people. It is probable, too, the spirit of 
dissension was putting forth its hand to vex the Church. It is at 
least true the state of religion was such as to authorize the opinion 
that whatever success attended the secession of O'Kelly, is to be 
attributed, not so much to the laborious zeal of the seceders, or the 
popularity of their opinions and measures, as to the lukewarmness 
of the Church, superinducing a readiness to substitute party spirit 
for Christian love, and zeal for an opinion for Christian diligence 
and devotion. Mr. Lee was painfully conscious of this declension. 
He could see it in the cold formality of their worship, in the altered 
fervour of their feelings. Hence he remarked: "It is not with 



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291 



these people, as it was when I was here before. Then they were 
much alive to God ; but religion is very low now." 

After remaining nearly a month with his friends, Mr. Lee re- 
turned to his own field of labour. On his way thither, he spent 
some days in Baltimore, preaching and begging-money for the pur- \ 
pose of building a house .of worship in Boston. In this he was gene- 
rously assisted by a gentleman of the city ; and he says : " We were 
pretty successful." Leaving Baltimore, he visited and preached at 
Cokesbury College. Thence to New York, and through his old 
circuit, preaching as he went, to Boston ; reaching the latter place 
on the 20th of February, 1793. The next day he rode to Lynn — 
his favourite home in New England. Two causes united to make 
him rejoice to be at home again — the society of old and cherished 
friends, and the prosperous condition in which he found the Church. 
They had been blessed with a gracious revival during his absence. 
On Sunday, he preached a sermon intended as a salutation on his 
return — a counterpart of the one preached on leaving them. His 
text was 2 Sam. xx. 9: Art thou in health, my brother 9 He 
pointed out some of the maladies of the soul, and the means and 
method of their cure, and then made a close application upon the 
present state of their souls ; whether they were then in spiritual 
health ? It was a time of heart-searching and heart-exulting. At 
the close of the sermon, the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was 
administered, three adults were baptized, and several were added 
to the Church. He continued in Lynn, engaged in pastoral duties, 
until the 18th of March, when he entered upon a general visitation 
of the appointments in his district. Signs of promise generally 
greeted him in this tour. He mentions one indication of the grow- 
ing popularity of Methodism. In Marblehead, where he had 
frequently preached, the word began to take hold of the hearts of 
the people. At least, they felt a greater interest in it; and he 
found, on one of his visits, the people had hired an upper room, 
and placed seats in it, for worship : " which is more respect than 
they ever showed us before." His first sermon in it was appro- 
priately selected from Lam. iii. 26 ; and their meeting was a 
time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. He found great 
liberty in teaching them the way to heaven, and was encouraged 
quietly to wait for the revelation of God's mercy to them. In 



292 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



pastoral duties, in Lynn and Boston, and occasional excursions to 
the adjacent circuits in Connecticut and Rhode Island, he filled up 
the remainder of the Conference year. 

Thus far, in his labours in New England, we have seen Mr. 
Lee almost exclusively as a pioneer, braving the difficulties of an 
evangelist in carrying the pure truth and power of the gospel to a 
people who, with priests and churches, were, for the most part, as 
it respects spiritual life, in the region of the shadow of death. 
And we may be tempted to believe that in this kind of labour only 
he was fitted to shine. But it would be wrong to adopt such a 
conclusion. He could not only clear the ground, but he could 
plant and cultivate it ; and also bring forward the harvest, gather 
it into the store-house, and preserve it with a husbandman's care. 
Indeed, he was a most excellent Methodist Pastor, keeping the 
rules, not only for wrath, but for conscience' sake. Visiting from 
house to house for religious conversation and prayer ; catechizing 
the children in classes ; and, wherever he met them in his visits, 
teaching them " the way wherein they should go ;" leading the 
classes, and visiting the sick. In these labours he found full 
employment for his head and his heart ; and his pastoral industry 
made his presence a joy and a blessing wherever he went. He 
was welcome to the homes of his flock ; and he could always find 
his way to their hearts, as a messenger preparing the way, and 
announcing the coming of the Lord. 

On the 1st of August, 1793, a Conference was held in Lynn, 
for the convenience of the Preachers employed in New England, 
and for the furtherance of the work of God. It was a small body 
of men. Beside the Bishop, there were only eight Preachers in 
attendance. If weak numericall}'-, they were strong in faith, full 
of zeal for God and the souls of men, and burning with desire to 
make Methodism a praise and a glory for its success in bringing 
sinners into the fold of the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls. 
Of the business proceedings of this Conference, beyond the mere 
appointments, we can learn nothing. In a note respecting this 
meeting, Bishop Asbury remarks : " I have now finished my work 
at Lynn. Circumstances have occurred which have made this 
Conference more painful than any one Conference beside." What 
these circumstances were, it is impossible at this distance of time 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



293 



to ascertain ; and perhaps it is fortunate that only so much of 
them is known, as is contained in the brief reflection of the Bishop. 
It is often wise " to conceal a matter," especially when its publi- 
cation does not tend to edification. 

At this Conference, Mr. Lee received a large, as well as a new 
appointment. He was again to penetrate " the regions beyond," 
and open a pathway for Methodism where, as yet, its voice had 
not reached, and its character was scarcely known. His name 
stands on the list for the " Province of Maine and Lynn." 
Distant as Maine was, he .was not to be entirely expatriated from 
the fellowship of Methodism ; and Lynn was united to the new 
circuit, to be a kind of city of refuge, to which he might resort 
for relief and comfort from the privations and discouragements 
incident to a pioneer's life in a rude and uncultivated frontier, — 
for such was Maine in 1793. It was a new country in many- 
respects : sparsely settled, with an odd mixture of many "kindred, 
nations, tongues, and people ;" poorly cultivated, by a people of 
plain manners, with very little refinement, and a loose morality. 
Of religion, except in a few of the more populous settlements, in 
so far as it is developed by the presence of ministers, churches, 
and the means of grace, there was very little in the Province. 
The ministers who wait for calls had not received them ; and as a 
general thing, they are not received from those who are at ease in 
sin ; and the mere presence of sinners is not regarded as a very 
potent element in a call. But, poor and rude as were the people, 
they had been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ ; and 
Christ authorized His Ministers to preach the gospel to every 
creature. So the Conference at Lynn, reasoning upon the general 
principles of Methodist doctrine and usage, concluded ; and 
learning there were sinners in Maine, resolved to send them the 
word of salvation, — and who so fit a bearer of the message as 
Mr. Lee 1 

A few weeks after the adjournment of Conference, he entered 
upon what in those days was a journey of considerable magnitude. 
Leaving Lynn, he passed through Newburyport into New Hamp- 
shire, Greenland, and Portsmouth, preaching as he went, and 
thence on the 10th of September entered Maine, and "at a little 
village called Saco," on the same night preached in a private 



294 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



" house crowded with attentive hearers," on Acts xiii. 41. As the 
most of his time, until the Conference of 1794, was employed in the 
ibrmation of a circuit in Maine, we may very properly give a brief 
narrative of his labours, abridged from his History of the Metho- 
dists. From Saco, he went to Castine, at the mouth of the Penob- 
scot River, thence along the river to the upper settlements near Old 
Town, and returned by the way of Twenty-five Mile Pond to Ken- 
nebec River : thence up to Sandy River, and back to Hallowell, and 
through to Portland. " Although I was a perfect stranger, and had 
to make my own appointments, I preached almost every day, and 
had crowded assemblies to hear. After viewing the country, I 
thought the most proper place to form a circuit would be on the 
west side of the Kennebec." Here the first circuit in Maine was 
formed, and it is known in the Minutes of the period as Readfield. 
It was nearly two hundred miles beyond the circuits already formed 
in New England. It extended from Hallowell to Sandy River. It 
was not long after the formation of this circuit, and the establish- 
ment of regular preaching, before God mercifully vouchsafed His 
blessing to those who went forth sowing precious seed. Sinners 
were converted, and sought Church fellowship with those from 
whom they had received " the good word of God." Societies were 
soon formed ; Churches were erected, and Methodism started out 
upon a wide career of usefulness, with stirring zeal and vigorous 
hope. 

It is not to be supposed that in this labour of love the pioneer of 
Methodism in Maine sailed on a stormless sea, or slept on " flowery 
beds of ease." Difficulties as numerous and strong awaited him 
here, as any he had previously met. But he had learned to " en- 
dure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ ;" and he toiled on, 
in labours abundant, with uncomplaining patience and immoveable 
resolution. In one place the people were so pleased with his min- 
istry, that they invited him to settle among them as their pastor, 
promising him good pay for his services. But he declined, saying, 
" I am no hireling." Freely he received the gospel, freely he of- 
fered its salvation to others. Upon these terms they might have it, 
without money and without price. It was not theirs, but them he 
was seeking : and not for himself, but for Him who loved them, and 
gave Himself a ransom for their souls. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



295 



Having succeeded in arranging a regular plan for preaching 
through a large district of country, many of whose inhabitants were 
entirely destitute of the means of grace, seldom heard a sermon, and 
knew very little of religion ; he returned to Lynn in time to attend 
the Conference held there on the 25th of July, 1794. Of the busi- 
ness of this Conference, who were present, and what was done, 
every trace seems to have vanished, beyond the mere appointments 
and the report of the numbers in Society. 

On the Minutes for 1794, Mr. Lee stands as Elder to a newly- 
formed district, comprising Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and 
Maine. Here, although the field of his labour was enlarged, it did 
not embrace a great deal of new ground. With much of it he was 
acquainted, and yet it extended over so large a territory, not yet 
comprehended in the field of Methodism, that he was still at liberty 
to search out new places, and carry the gospel to those who had it 
not. And he was as enterprising in this matter now, as he had 
been at any previous period of his ministry. His elevation to the 
office of Elder could only be gratifying in so far as it gave him the 
freedom to indulge his desire of being the first to carry the message 
of salvation, as held and taught by Methodists, to those who were 
perplexed into indifference by " the doctrines of grace," and con- 
founded into apathy by sovereign power operating through eternal 
decrees. He loved to carry to a people thus estranged from God, 
and perplexed as to their own duty with respect to religion, the 
system of truth that, taking the grand fact that Jesus Christ, by the 
grace of God, tasted death for every man, as its great central doc- 
trine, works out, upon the conscience of a sinner, and without any 
elaboration of argument, the joyous conviction that " God will have 
all men to be saved ? " and that whosoever will, may come and take 
of the water of life freely. He loved to preach a free and full 
salvation. 

In entering upon the duties of his office, Mr. Lee laboured under 
two difficulties, each presenting formidable obstacles to his success, 
and either sufficient to dishearten a less zealous man ; he was seri- 
ously unwell, and he was weak in faith. But his indomitable 
energy of character would be brought into subjection to neither. 
The former yielded to perseverance in exercise, aided by simple 
medical treatment. The latter he withstood to the face, because 



296 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



it was to be blamed. Yet these combined evils reduced him to a state 
of sad spiritual depression, arid constrained the confession — " My 
mind was variously exercised, and I was in a mournful condition." 
His prayer was, " Lord help me" Again he says : " The Lord 
seemed very near me at times, but I did not have that faith for the 
people that I have generally had in other places." Yet, " upon 
strict examination, I felt confidence in God, and a pleasing hope of 
heaven." Humbled and dejected, but neither forsaken nor without 
hope, he persisted in the path of duty, filled his appointments, and 
left the issue of his trials and afflictions with the God of his salva- 
tion. In the midst of these calamities he attended a Conference 
held in Wilbraham, and the morning after his arrival, preached on 
2 Cor. xii. 9 : My grace is sufficient for thee. While speaking, 
the fire burned, the sun of righteousness pierced the clouds that 
hovered round his heart, beams of heavenly light irradiated his 
m !, and his soul stood in the sun-light of joy and love. "I felt 
the grace of God sufficient for me at the time, and I Was willing to 
trust him all the days of my life. O ! what a precious sense of the 
love of Jesus my soul enjoyed." In the strength of that blessing 
he journeyed many days of painfullness and weariness to the flesh, 
but of holy serenity and abounding comfort to his spirit. 

It was a strange thing in those days, in prejudiced New England, 
for a Methodist Preacher to receive even courteous, omitting as 
utterly out of the question, all reference to friendly treatment from 
any of the settled pastors. It is not marvellous then that a little 
incident out of the ordinary line of indifference should be mentioned 
with a sincere gratification by Mr. Lee. Returning from Wilbra- 
ham, he spent a Sabbath in New London. In the evening the Rev. 
Mr. Darrough, a Baptist, came in and took tea with him at the 
house of a widow. A very friendly conversation as to the progress 
and success of religion ensued. In the course of it Mr. Lee " told 
him if he did not take care the Methodists would outdo him." " I 
don't know how they will go about it !" " Why, we will out- 
preach you, outlive you, and outlove you ." " Well," was the 
truly Christian reply, " you may, but if you do, you shall have 
hard work for it : for I intend to love God with all my soul, and 
then if you outlove me your vessel must be bigger than mine.' 
Here was a truly spiritual emulation — the only emulation a Chris. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



297 



iian can indulge with safety to his soul. Happy would it be for 
the world if such a spirit pervaded the hearts of all who bear the 
Christian name. 

The transition from " grave to gay" is not more common to the 
feelings of some men than was the change from respect to rudeness a 
common element in the history of the efforts to give Methodism a 
place and a name in the land of the Puritans. Passing into Rhode 
Island, Mr. Lee encountered a man whose feelings belonged to a 
very different zone from those of the good man in the scene just 
related. He had been directed to call upon a Colonel B — , in 
Coventry, and he reached the house about sunset, when the follow- 
ing dialogue occurred. 

" Have you not entertained the Methodist Preachers sometimes ?" 

" Yes. I have sometimes." 

" Would you be willing to entertain another]" 

" I would full as leave, if it suited them as well, if they would 
go along." 

" Well then, I will go along." 

And go along he did, or his horse carried him. For night, dark, 
dreary, and desolate, with its voiceless solitude soon enveloped him. 
He was a stranger and alone. Little as he knew of the path, his 
knowledge availed him nothing ; it was so dark he could not see 
it, and sometimes the deep gloom of night hid from his strained 
sight the head of his horse. Beside the Providence in which he 
trusted at all times with a joyous confidence, he had one other 
source of consolation — his horse had travelled the path before. He 
gave him a loose rein, and the faithful animal bore him in safety 
to the hospitable residence of General Lippett, where, although the 
family had retired to rest, he received a cheerful welcome, and such 
attentions as his circumstances required. It may be that the fact, 
as creditable to the family as it was gratifying to Mr. Lee, that the 
wife and daughter were under deep religious awakenings, produced 
by a sermon he had preached on a former visit, had a considerable 
share in securing these hospitalities to the man of God who had for- 
saken home and friends to preach Christ to a strange people. The 
two facts, so strongly in contrast, will serve somewhat to illus- 
trate the lights and shadows of itinerant life. A cup of cold water 



293 



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given lo a disciple for the sake of Christ, shall in no wise go unre 
warded. 

The first Church built for the Methodists in Rhode Island was 
dedicated in Warren, a few days subsequent to the lonely night-ride 
in Coventry. Mr. Lee preached the sermon at the opening of this 
house, on the 24th of September. The text for the occasion was 
Haggai ii. 9. There was a considerable Society in the place ; and 
they already possessed an abundance of the peace promised in the 
text. At a class-meeting held at night after the dedication, " the 
power of the Lord was amongst them, and man}- souls were happy 
in His love." Their hearts, with their house, were dedicated to 
God, as those that were alive from the dead ; and they were 
accepted in the Beloved. At this place he completed his first tour 
on the district, and from hence he returned to Lynn, for brief and 
necessary repose after a fatiguing campaign of'«two months. He 
was not inactive while resting. Relieved from the stirring duties 
of regular itinerant preaching, he resorted for usefulness and per- 
sonal comfort to the more quiet employments of pastoral visiting. 
Here he was not less at home than when in the presence of multi- 
tudes, pointing sinners to the way of life by the blood of atonement. 
In the family circle he desired to sow good seed, knowing that in 
due season they would spring up and yield the peaceable fruits of 
righteousness. So impressed was his mind with the importance of 
this field of ministerial usefulness, that with all his desire to do 
good, he was constrained to cry out with the Apostle, " Who is 
sufficient for these things ?" " O, how much I am wanting," he 
writes, "in faithfulness and watchfulness in my religious visits!" 
Earnestly desiring to accomplish a large measure of good to the 
souls for whom Christ died, and feeling his insufficiency, he sought 
in deeper spirituality a higher qualification for this rich and pro- 
mising field of usefulness. He longed to make a sacrifice of him- 
self to God, to be the Lord's by consecration and covenant, that 
every act of his life and every member of his body might be an 
instrument of righteousness unto holiness. He wished to turn 
many to righteousness. 

On the 3d of November he entered upon a second tour to the 
remotest points of his district. In following him we shall be com- 
pelled to omit many of the daily scenes that give his pioneer life so 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



299 



deep an interest in the present periods of Methodism. In one place 
he lodged with a Quaker, found him quite friendly, and, unlike the 
one he encountered the first year of his itinerancy, " he was quite 
reconciled to prayers, night and morning." In another place, after 
preaching on the experimental power of religion, he had the morti- 
fication to discover he had shot over the heads of his hearers — none 
of them having any knowledge of even " the first principles of the 
oracles of God," and only stared in mute amazement at the stranger 
who brought such strange things to their ears. Here Antinomianism 
eating up every green thing in the garden of the Lord ; there, 
wide doors and willing hearts waiting for the consolation of Israel; 
and everywhere fields white unto the harvest, without a reaper to 
thrust in the sickle ; and souls perishing without an eye to pity or 
a hand stretched out to save. His soul was stirred within him 
when he saw the desolations of the land ; and in perils in the wil- 
derness, perils on the water ; in cold and hunger and weariness, he 
dared danger and death if he might pluck some of them as brands 
from the burning. His love for souls was of too fiery a nature to 
be chilled by the frosts of the severe winter upon which he was 
entering. 

A year had elapsed, since Mr. Lee entered for the first time the 
moral desolations of Maine. He was now returning to water the seed 
he had then scattered in good soil, and to watch the progress of the 
springing plants. The Rev. P. Wager was now filling the circuit 
formed the preceding year, and God was graciously blessing his 
labours and fulfilling the prayers which his predecessor in the field, 
in faith and patience, had left upon the mercy-seat. After reaching 
Maine, it was a matter of devout gratitude to Mr. Lee to hear, as 
he did from various places, that the good hand of God w r as turned 
upon the people ; that revivals were beginning and in progress ; 
and that souls, redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, were 
rejoicing in the comfort of the Holy Ghost. On reaching Mon- 
mouih, he found a few members of the sect everywhere spoken 
against. He preached, and God moved upon the hearts of many. 
" I met the class," he says, " and was happy" to hear from the 
people's own mouth, what the Lord had done for their souls. 
There are about fifteen in class, and most of them profess to be 
happy in God. This class has been formed but a few weeks, and 



300 



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is the first ever formed in the province of Maine. May they he as 
the little cloud, which at first was like a man's hand, but soon 
covered the heavens." And so it proved to be. His next visit 
was to Readfield. Here also a class of seventeen had been col- 
lected out of the world, and brought into fellowship with the people 
of God.* In meeting with them, he had a precious season. It 
was a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, to all ; 
and there were signs of better times in the community. Many 
were truly alive to the importance of religion ; some were seeking 
God with strong crying and tears ; and there were on every hand 
the most delightful indications of a general turning to God. As 
one of these signs, it may be stated that the Society had already 
entered upon the erection of a house of worship. Indeed, it was 
near its completion, and was soon after set apart for the holy uses 
of religion. Only one kind of opposition seems to have been 
elicited by the progress of Methodism in this place ; and that was 
from the Antinomianism of a small congregation of Baptists. 
They seemed greatly to fear the Methodists would do harm ! Mr. 
Lee says their minister, Isaac Case, often tells his people they are 
case-hardened. 

It was winter, severe winter for the cold latitude in which Mr. 
Lee was going about doing good. His exposure was necessarily 
great, and his sufferings were sometimes extreme — dangerous alike 
to health and life. We give an instance of the tax upon his per- 
sonal comfort by these constant exposures to cold. Having a long 
ride to make, he started in the early morning of a remarkably cold 
day. His course lay through a lonely wilderness, and he was 
without company to cheer the tedious miles of his journey. In 
one place, he rode seven or eight miles without seeing a house. 
As the day advanced, the cold seemed to penetrate the pores of his 
skin, to congeal his blood, and freeze the marrow of his bones. 
His feet seemed to have reached freezing-point. He drew a mitten 
over the toe of his shoe, and partially arrested its progress. He 
trembled in every joint and muscle. His flesh became rigid and 
dry ; and his whole frame rolled in convulsive throes as if under 
the pressure of the death-ague. In this painful condition, night, 

* Both of these Societies were formed in November 1794. See Hist. Me- 
thodists, p. 216. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



301 



gloomy and starless, came down upon the wilderness and its soli- 
tary traveller. Weary miles yet stretched their lengthening lines 
before him, and the road was rough and fatiguing. But he toiled 
on resolutely and without murmuring, strengthening himself in the 
Lord, who brought him safely to his destination, and provided him 
so kind a reception that he soon forgot his sufferings in the joys 
of a cheerful hospitality. But, though forgotten, they were not 
removed. For a week, the flesh of his face and throat were sore 
and painful as if pinched and bruised by an instrument of torture. 

The next day he preached to the people, and so delightful was 
the service to his hearers and himself, that, notwithstanding his 
sufferings in getting to the place, he could not regret having gone 
to it. In the afternoon, on his way to Farmington, he met w T ith an 
incident somewhat novel, but highly interesting to his pious feel- 
ings, and full of encouragement in his self-denying efforts to save 
souls from perishing. In his solitary ride he overtook a company 
of females returning from the place of worship. One of them was 
praising God for his goodness to her soul ; and the others were 
weeping in sympathy, and in sorrow for their sins. On reaching 
the party, the rejoicing Christian took his hand, and poured out 
her soul in gratitude and praise to God. " My soul," he writes, 
" was transported with the pleasing sound ; but how unfashionable 
it is to hear people praise God along the road !" But unfashion- 
able as it is, it might be adopted as a custom with more reason for 
its justification, than can be found for many fashions that rule the 
world with blind and capricious tyranny. There may be a period 
when such scenes may be common ; when valley and hill-top, and 
public highways, may be bursting forth with praise from thousands 
of redeemed and happy hearts ; " when one shall not say to another, 
Know ye the Lord, but when all shall know him, from the least 
even to the greatest." Even so : Come, Lord Jesus ; and come 
quickly ! 

The spiritual destitution of large tracts of country through 
which Mr. Lee passed, is as surprising, as it is painful to a pious 
mind. Families and neighbourhoods were lying on every hand — 
a moral desolation. The feet of them that bring glad tidings of 
good things seldom or never trod their highways, or penetrated 
their dwellings. The wilderness was there, but there was no 



302 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



voice in it crying, Prepare ye the way of the Lord ! Everything 
in morals partook of the general destitution. Children were 
untrained for heaven ; families had no religious associations to 
inspire a just sense of the duties and responsibilities of life; and 
communities were without altars for worship, or ministers to "point 
to brighter worlds, and lead the way." Darkness was in all the 
land, filling the minds of the people with gloom, and bowing down 
their hearts to the dust ; clothing the present with uncertainty, and 
the future with despair ; and keeping them all their lifetime in 
bondage, through fear of death ! To a mind alive to the im- 
portance of religion, and anxious to bring sinners to the knowledge 
of Christ, as Mr. Lee's was, such a state of destitution must have 
been a cause of constant sorrow. It did enlist all his sympathies ; 
and constrained him, in season and out of season, to raise his 
voice of warning and encouragement, if haply he might save a 
soul from death. Along the road, in the solitary house by the 
way-side, he preached Christ no less fervently than he did in the 
social circle, and the public assembly. Sometimes he would enter 
the solitary dwellings by the way-side, introduce the subject of 
religion, gather the family around him, and offer prayer to God for 
their salvation ; and be up and away, perhaps, to perform a simi- 
lar office of Christian devotedness at the next house that might lie 
in his path. Or, approaching a more populous neighbourhood, he 
would enter a house and say, " I am a Preacher of the gospel, and 
would be glad to preach to you^and your neighbours, if you will 
allow me to do so ;" and then send, or carry the notice from house 
to house, collect the peo r le, and preach the gospel of the grace of 
God to souls w T ho had .iot heard it for years, and might not have an 
opportunity of hearing it again for years to come. And such was 
the simple and affectionate earnestness with which he besought 
them to be reconciled to God, that he was in almost every instance 
importuned to repeat his visit, or to send some other minister to 
teach them the way of salvation. In one of these excursions he 
came upon one of those scenes of desolation which show how 
deep a curse is war to all the interests of civilization and religion. 
It was at Norridgewock Point, at the mouth of Sandy River, where, 
in previous years, the Indians had a house for public worship, and 
a minister of God. But during the war of the Revolution, a party 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



303 



of English soldiers came upon the settlement while they were 
engaged in devotion, and killed the man of God, and most of the 
Indian men. It was now a scene of sorrow and desolation, a 
mournful illustration of the doctrine that wars and fightings come 
from the lusts of the unrenewed heart of man. 

Of the gracious power of the Holy Spirit in convincing of sin, 
the following account is recorded by Mr. Lee : — At one place, per- 
mission to preach had been asked and refused.' He rode a short 
distance, found an open door, and preached on John xi. 3. " I 
had a crowded congregation, and the melting presence of God was 
amongst us. Many of the people could hardly refrain from weep- 
ing aloud. After 1 had dismissed the people, and gone into another 
room, a man came in to speak to me, and burst into tears. Another 
came in with tears in his eyes, and begged that I would preach 
again at night. I could not refuse. Some of the people then went 
home, but soon returned. One man being in deep distress, began 
to cry aloud to God to have mercy upon his poor soul ; and thus 
he continued to cry with all his might, until some of the people 
were much frightened. I talked, prayed, and sung ; and while I 
was singing, a visible alteration took place in his countenance, and 
I was inclined to think his soul was set at liberty. He afterwards 
spoke as though he believed it was so. About this time, another 
man was seized with a trembling, and began to pray to the Lord 
to have mercy upon his poor soul, and cried aloud for some time. 
I then took my text, and preached on 1 Pet. v. 7. It was not long 
before another man was taken with a violent trembling and crying, 
so that my voice was almost drowned. I was forced to stop. I 
then pi^ed for him, and he became more quiet. I went on with 
my sermon. There was great weeping in every part of the house. 
It appeared as if the whole neighbourhood was about to turn to 
God. I hope the fruit of this meeting will be seen after many 
days, and that the work of the Lord will revive from this time. 3 
Such manifestations of spiritual influence were common in the 
earlier periods of Methodism. Nor have they yet entirely ceased 
to bless the ministry of God's chosen servants. May we not 
expect even greater signs and wonders as "the time of the end" 
comes on? 

For such scenes of religious fervour, however formalism anu 



304 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



ungodliness may denounce or ridicule them, Mr. Lee had strong 
feelings of Christian sympathy. The gospel he believed and 
preached, authorized him to preach that men should repent ; and 
he knew repentance must have some mode of manifestation, cor- 
responding, in some measure at least, with the sense of sin and 
danger wrought in the soul by the effectual working of the Holy 
Spirit. And it was not for him to prescribe the way of the Spirit, 
or dictate the manner of its developements in a soul burdened with 
conscious guilt, and filled with dread of Him who has power to 
destroy both soul and body in hell for ever. He could see good 
reason for strong crying and tears in such a case. And he could 
well appreciate the pious feelings that found pleasure in such 
scenes of spiritual distress. As a house of mourning, it was 
greatly preferable to a house of feasting. But he had no affinity 
for scenes of gaiety and revelry ; nor could he perceive how a 
Christian could engage in them. Full of the subdued and hallowing 
feelings inspired by the revival scene just described, he returned on 
his path to another portion of his district. Reaching Saco after 
nightfall, he stopped at a tavern, gathered the family of his host 
together, and prayed with them, and went out to spend an hour of 
Christian conversation with a Baptist female whose acquaintance 
he had made on a previous visit. To his utter surprise, he found, 
on reaching the house, that she had gone to a dancing-party, and 
was not yet returned ! He returned in sorrow to his room ; and, 
after recording the fact in his Journal, very gravely remarks : 
" John the Baptist lost his head by reason of dancing, and I 
thought the Baptists had never been fond of dancing from that day 
to this !" Here he closed his labours for the year 1794. 

Full of zeal and buoyant with hope he entered upon the duties 
of a new year, and during its first month was engaged in visiting 
various places in New Hampshire. He found much to encourage 
his efforts to do good, although there were many hindrances. In 
Portsmouth he preached several days in succession; and found 
the people so teachable, and so glad to hear the way to heaven, 
that he encouraged them to purchase an unfinished house, and 
convert it into a Church. While on this tour, he had the satis- 
faction of preaching in several places not previously visited by a 
Methodist Preacher. Among other places, he mentions Tiverton 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



305 



and New Bedford, as having been thus visited for the first time. 
In both he preached to congregations whose solemn, attention to 
the word induced him to regard his visit as not in vain in the 
Lord. From the last-named place he started in the packet to 
Nantucket Island ; but owing to the severity of the weather, he 
had to put in at Martha's Vineyard. He spent a week on the 
island, preaching, and visiting from house to house. There was a 
missionary, " Old Mr. Zaccheus Mayhew," to the Indians residing 
on the island, with whom he had an interview full of interest and 
delight. He speaks of the missionary as a venerable man, far 
advanced in the journey of life, and joyfully anticipating the time 
of his departure, as a release from the servitude of sublunary toil 
and care. Mr. Lee had the privilege of spending a Sabbath with 
the Indian congregation. He also mentions another minister, 
whose name he does not give, — but whose religious opinions, in 
one element at least, were so novel as to surprise, if they did not 
frighten him. With respect to the state of the dead, he denied the 
separate existence of the soul, and affirmed its unconsciousness 
during the whole period from death to the resurrection from the 
dead. This was a strange doctrine to Mr. Lee, especially as it 
was held by one whose duty it was to search the Scriptures, and 
whose vocation it was to explain them in the hearing of the people. 
Viewing this subject as he did, and regarding the soul as immortal, 
and always conscious, it is not surprising that on hearing these 
strange opinions he exclaimed, " Good Lord, deliver me from evil." 
He was in immediate proximity with evil. Error is evil ; and 
doctrinal error is a deadly evil. He feared to listen to errors that 
might deceive his faith in being present with the Lord when absent 
from the body ; and the adoption of which might neutralize or 
destroy some of the strongest incentives to " the patience of hope 
and the labour of love." He remained on the island seven days, 
in which time he preached twelve sermons : sowing the good seed 
of the kingdom, and hoping for a harvest that should be to the 
praise and glory of God. In returning to New Bedford, he 
experienced difficulties that opened the way for him to preach in 
places that did not fall into his plan while on the island. 

In Bridgewater, a few days after his return from the Vineyard, 
he received one of those assurances of the Divine blessing upon his 



306 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



labours tha - always bring a train of spiritual comforts to a minis 
ter's heart. After he had closed a meeting at a private house, a 
Preacher who was present, and had assisted in the service, gave 
him the following relation of his personal experience. He had once 
made a profession of religion, but had turned aside from the holy 
commandment delivered unto him, and made shipwreck of faith. 
In this unhappy condition he went to hear Mr. Lee preach, having 
never previously heard a Methodist. The word was made quick 
and powerful, and sharper than a two edged-sword. He was cut 
to the heart, and his heart was opened. He was brought again to 
the ark of safety, and found rest to his soul. And like Peter, being 
converted, he desired to strengthen his brethren. He was now in 
the ministry — preaching peace to the wandering and weary by 
Jesus Christ. This account filled Mr. Lee with humility and joy ; 
and constrained him to say : " O, that it was with me as in days 
past, when the Lord owned my labours in the conversion of many ! 
But if there were not another soul brought to know God by my 
ministry, I should still have cause to bless God that ever I preached 
the gospel." The more than ordinary success of former years was 
a solace in the midst of the seeming barrenness of his present 
efforts to build the Kingdom of God in the hearts of men. 

There are jubilee periods in every man's history. Christians 
have their personal holy-days — the day of their birth, and of their 
conversion, become a kind of sacred day — full of holy recollections 
and pious resolutions. They are set apart for the holy worship of 
the heart. The consecration of these periods to devout employ- 
ments, was common to Mr. Lee. Accordingly we find the follow- 
ing record of his feelings on the return of his birth-day. " My 
birth-day — thirty-seven years old. I have made a profession of 
religion about twenty-two years. But when I look back upon my 
life, I have great cause to mourn before God that I am not more 
given up to His service. I have been generally healthy ; and for many 
years I have been for the most part happy. Some things in my 
life I would gladly recall if it were in my power. Lord forgive 
my follies past. I wish to give myself more to God than ever. 
I have reason to hope I have gained some strength in re- 
ligion the past year." Thus, while he mourned the imperfections 
of his life, he cherished a grateful sense of mercy and grace, 
and rejoiced in humble hope of eternal redemption. But his 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



307 



birth-day was characterized by an incident that stirred up the dcx> 
trinal reverence of Mr. Lee. On the afternoon of the day, he 
attended a religious meeting, consisting, among other things, of a 
lecture to the singers, in which Mr. Cazier lectured on Ps. lxvi. 2 : 
Sing forth the honour of his name : make his praise glorious. 
" He preached without notes," says Mr. Lee, " and I think was as 
barefaced an Antinomian as I ever heard. He said no man ever 
yet sang forth the praises of God aright, but was as willing for 
God to damn him as to save him. Speaking of the Psalmist's 
saying he would sing of mercy and judgment, he said he would 
praise God as much for sending men to hell, as for taking them 
to heaven : i. e., 4 1 will bless God for saving one man, and damn- 
ing another.' He further declared that every action of man was 
just as God would have it to be, and whether it appeared in our 
view to be a good or a bad action, it was intended of God for the 
general good, and the moral system would be broken if the action 
were not to take place," &c. This horrid doctine was too much for 
the zealous Arminian. Methodism had a foothold in the place, and 
its earnest propagator could not, or would not hold his peace in the 
presence of such vaulting heresy. Accordingly, at night he preached 
a counter doctrine from Rom. ix. 22. He endeavoured to convince 
his hearers of the unreasonableness of predestination, and to show 
how the people had fitted themselves for destruction, and yet that 
God had much long-suffering for sinners. He brought the whole 
matter home to the conscience, by presenting the strange contra- 
diction of predestination to the true character and calling of the 
Christian ministry. He took the clear ground of its institution for 
the good of men, and presented it as their first duty to stand in 
the place of Christ, beseeching sinners to be reconciled to 
God, to warn them of their danger as sinners, and to con- 
vince them out of the Scriptures that God was not willing 
that they should be damned, but that they should come to 
the knowledge of the truth and be saved. And he also presented 
the palpable outrage upon the calling of the ministry, to teach men 
that it was the decree of God to damn them, and that they should 
bless him for it ! This was a point-blank shot into the very centre 
of the doctrinal impiety of foredooming the sinner to wrath by arbi- 
trary and eternal decrees, and then sending the ministry to rescue 



308 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



him from predestinated destruction. Mr. Cazier was present during 
the delivery of this discourse. At its close he approached Mr. Lee, 
and the people crowded around them in expectation of a personal 
controversy. They however were disappointed. A brief but civil 
interview occurred, and they separated, perhaps mutually surprised 
at each other. 

At the close of the month of March, after a tour among the cir- 
cuits in Massachusetts, Mr. Lee entered upon another tour in Maine. 
It is impossible to give a detailed account of the incidents of this 
journey. A mere outline of some of its more important character- 
istics must suffice. He preached in nearly all the places compre- 
hended in his former visits ; and was exposed to similar hardships 
and trials. It may be mentioned as an instance of his persevering 
ardour, that on reaching the Penobscot and finding no ferry, he 
procured two small boats, and lashing them together, his horse stood 
with his fore-feet in one and his hind-feet in the other, and so with 
himself, and without accident, was ferried across the river. " Swim- 
ming rivers, passing dangerous fords, encountering hills, rocks, and 
mire, were every-day occurrences." Penetrating as far as the 
Passamaquoddy, he determined to visit the British Provinces. " He 
accordingly visited Moose and Dudley Islands ; and then passed 
into St. Andrews in New Brunswick. In all these places he found 
the people destitute of preaching. He next proceeded to St. John's, 
and in crossing a part of the Bay of Fundy, the vessel was driven 
against the rocks by the rapid tide, which created some alarm, but 
fortunately they escaped without injury. The next day they put 
into a place called Dipper Harbour. Here he continued two days, 
preaching at the house of a Mr. French, who, although the pro- 
prietor of three thousand acres of land, could not afford a chair for 
his guests to sit upon. On reaching St. John's, he was agreeably 
surprised to find an old friend, the Rev. Wm. Jessop, now engaged 
in preaching Christ crucified to the people. Seven days were spent 
here, preaching, holding prayer-meetings, meeting classes, and 
visiting the sick, and others, who needed his counsel or sought his 
company. He essayed to visit St. Stephen's, but being becalmed 
at a place on the Schoodic River, called Devil's Head, he was com- 
pelled to relinquish his design. He, however, went on shore, visited 
a family, and used the opportunity of giving them a private lecture 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



309 



upon the great duty of personal religion. Beyond this point there 
lived a gentleman with whom he had been in the habit of corres- 
ponding for several years, whose house he was very anxious to 
reach. He left the vessel, in a row-boat that was ascending the 
river, and arrived at the house of his friend Mr. M'Call, near mid- 
night. The family rose to receive him, and gave him a truly wel- 
come reception. He was now at the dividing line between the 
United States and the British Provinces, and he had the opportunity 
of preaching on both sides of the line. An instance of the power 
of God in preventing evil to an humble Christian is mentioned by 
Mr. Lee, and it affords a beautiful illustration of the Divine promise: 
" They that trust in Me shall never be confounded." A female, the 
first who made a profession of conversion to God in the place, was 
much opposed by her irreligious husband. Her piety provoked 
him ; her prayers were an offence to him ; her scrupulous observ- 
ance of religious duties, he could not away with. He measured his 
hostility by her devotedness, and as that increased more and more, 
he resolved, as he could not cure her, he would abandon her. 
Full of his purpose, he was on the point of leaving her, when in the 
act of starting, she begged they might pray together once more be- 
fore their final separation. He consented ; they knelt before God ; 
and while she was imploring the Divine compassion and interposi- 
tion in the hour of distress, his heart melted within him, his nature 
was softened, his hostility departed, and his purpose of separation 
with it ; he relaxed his opposition to religion, and soon became a 
follower of the way he had so bitterly despised and rejected. 

On his return from New Brunswick, Mr. Lee dedicated the new 
house of worship in Readfield. This was the first Church erected by 
the Methodists in Maine. It was an occasion of sincere rejoicing 
to the small Society to have a house of their own set apart to sacred 
uses, where, unfettered., and independent of others, they could wor- 
ship, in the freedom of their own impressive forms, and in the full 
exercise of their peculiar and edifying prudential regulations, the 
God of their salvation. The house was commenced in the fall of 
1794, and consecrated to Divine worship on the 21st of June, 1795. 

The Conference for the New England States was held in New 
London, on the 15th of July, 1795. About twenty ministers, with 
the indefatigable Bishop Asbury at their head, were present. 



310 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



Everything passed off pleasantly. Some little difficulty was ex- 
perienced in adjusting the matter of Baptism ; many of the people, it 
seems, were scrupulous with regard to the mode of administering 
the Sacrament. We are satisfied the Conference did not compro- 
mise the principles of Methodism upon the subject, and yet the 
matter was settled to the satisfaction of all parties. Two Wesleyan 
Methodist ministers from the West Indies were present during the 
session. They came to recruit their health ; and being strangers 
and in need, the Conference cheerfully and liberally contributed out 
of their own poverty to the necessities of their strange and afflicted 
brethren. It is a blessed thing to a Christian man to receive Chris- 
tian sympathy and assistance, but " it is more blessed to give than 
to receive." In such a case both parties are blessed ! In the ap- 
pointments Mr. Lee was continued on the district, only it was made 
considerably larger than it was previously. It now had seventeen 
circuits and stations, and twenty-six Preachers. He was compelled 
to give all diligence to meet the demands of the Church upon his 
time and talents. After the adjournment of the body, he accom- 
panied Bishop Asbury, in a tour of several weeks, through parts of 
Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, travelling and 
preaching daily, and striving as good soldiers of Jesus Christ to 
establish the increasing number of believers in the power of living 
faith", and the purity of perfect love. Early in August they sepa- 
rated — the one to traverse the circuit of the Union as the chief pas- 
tor of a widely scattered and constantly augmenting body of Chris- 
tians ; the other, as an under shepherd, to feed the flock of Christ, 
to build up the temple of God in the souls of men, and to fill up the 
old wastes, the desolation of former generations, with the beauty of 
holiness, the incense of a pure offering from hearts filled with love, 
and inflamed with a new-born zeal for God. 

Boston was the first field of his labour for the year. It was five 
years since he commenced his efforts to lay a foundation for Me- 
thodism in the city. In pain and weariness, through evil report 
and good report, and with a fidelity that no obstacles could intimi- 
date, he had persevered until now at length he was permitted to 
see some fruit of all his toils and pains. Early convinced that 
the chief difficulty to his success was to be traced to the want of 
a suitable place for regular worship, and, after extreme embarrass* 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



311 



ment, having secured a room, he still coveted a house, — that goal 
of his hopes was now near its accomplishment. An eligible site 
had been obtained, the necessary funds for commencing the house 
had been secured, and on the 28th of August, he had the inexpres- 
sible satisfaction of assisting, with all due solemnities, in laying 
the corner-stone of the building. Here were two important objects 
gained — a Society of believers, and a home for them. It was a 
bright and joyous day for Methodism in Boston ; and he who had 
laboured with so earnest and self-denying a zeal for its accomplish- 
ment, was full of high hopes and brilliant visions. But the people 
must be prepared to crowd the courts of this house of the Lord, 
when its doors should be thrown open for their reception. " The 
hired room," scarce capable of holding a hundred persons, was too 
small for his aspirations ; his mind was " cribbed, cabined, and 
confined" in its narrow dimensions. He could not let the fire of 
his zeal burn in him until their beautiful house should be finished. 
He must breathe again the free air of the Common, and lift his 
voice in the midst of its crowding multitudes. Some of his breth- 
ren, perhaps, feeling their independence since they had a room, or 
deeming it now unnecessary, or a condescension, urged many 
objections to such a measure. They had forgotten " the hole of 
the pit out of which they were digged ;" or were probably ashamed 
of so public a reminiscence of their origin. But their scruples 
availed nothing with Mr. Lee. He aimed to do ail the good in his 
power to the greatest number of people — this was his philosophy 
of religion. The probabilities of winning souls to Christ were 
greater in preaching to thousands than to handfuls, or a hundred. 
How could he hesitate % His heart was fixed upon it ; and for three 
Sabbaihs successively he took his stand under " the old elm tree," 
and preached to thousands of listening and well-behaved people. 
Whether any were converted, it is now impossible to say. But he 
was gratified. The feeling that prompted the duty was satisfied, 
and happy ; and he went his way rejoicing — buoyant with the 
consciousness of having " done what he could." 

The star of Methodism was in the ascendant in New England. 
But there were many adversaries. Not only did " lewd fellows 
of the baser sort" exalt themselves in opposition ; but chief men 
men of character and influence, the rulers, took counsel together 



312 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



to break the bands, and cast away the cords that Methodism was 
binding around the hearts of the people. One striking example of 
this hostility is recorded by Mr. Lee. It occurred in Provincetown, 
Massachusetts, a few days after the laying of the corner-stone of 
the Church in Boston. There was a small Society in Province- 
town, gathered out of the world after much labour and many tears. 
They were fruitful in all good works, and no man could lay aught 
to their charge. For their own comfortable worship, and for the 
benefit of others, they desired to build a house in which the pure 
Word of God might be preached, and where, as children of believ- 
ing Abraham, they might offer praise and prayer to the God of 
Salvation. They not only desired a Church, but resolved to build 
one. For this purpose, and after many sacrifices, they raised 
money, and purchased timber for their house. While thus quietly 
proceeding with their arrangements, to their utter surprise a Town 
Meeting was called, and, after grave deliberation, it was resolved 
that the Methodists should have no house of worship in the place. 
To this arbitrary measure of mob-authority the Society resolved 
to give no heed. They collected their materials, and proceeded 
with their work. It was nearly ready for framing, when those 
who regarded Methodism as an evil and bitter thing, resolved to 
achieve by force what they could not effect by intimidation. Ac- 
cordingly, under cover of night, fit hour for a deed of darkness, a 
company of evil-workers dragged the timbers into a neighbouring 
valley, and after marring the workmanship, collected them into a 
pile, and placed an effigy of a Methodist tarred and feathered on 
the top. This famous deed accomplished, they left the spot, and 
waited for the morning to witness the surprise and sorrow of a few 
pious people thus despoiled of their property, outraged in their 
rights, and insulted in their feelings. It was the triumph of wick- 
edness : the upsetting, it may be, of the cup of wrath in the con- 
science of some of the perpetrators of a deed of infamy and guilt. 
This persecution for righteousness sake was borne with the meekness 
of Christian forbearance and resignation. It was a sad loss to the 
feeble Society, but their trust was in God ; and they renewed their 
efforts, resolved to oppose the malignity of unreasonable and 
wicked men, by the patience and gentleness of Christ. The morn- 
ing after this shameful occurrence, Mr. Lee visited the scene of 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



313 



disaster, and surveyed the melancholy wreck of a thousand bril- 
liant hopes. But he was calm and collected. His heart was sor- 
rowful, but it gave forth no gall — no, not a drop. He spoke, but 
not in reproach and wrath. " I went to see it," he says, " and 
felt astonished at the conduct of the people, considering we live in 
a free country ; and no such conduct can be justified. However, 
I expect this will be for the good of the little Society, and that they 
will find the truth of these words : ' The wrath of man shall praise 
thee.' " And is it not so ? There is still a Society of Methodists 
in Provincetown. And if its history could be written, might it not be 
found to have been a lifelong consolation to some of the men engaged 
in this work of sacrilege, and to have blessed the dying hour of 
others ? At least, the Society still lives and flourishes in its repre- 
sentatives ; but where are those who, in an evil hour, trespassed 
upon its rights, and sought, in the destruction of its house of wor- 
ship, to crush and extinguish it for ever ? They are forgotten in 
the grave — they are in the midst of the retributions of eternity ! 

We cannot follow Mr. Lee through the routine of his daily 
duties, while employed in the superintendence of his district, espe- 
cially as we have already traversed it several times in his company, 
and under his guidance. A few incidents, serving to illustrate his 
character, and the obstacles that everywhere opposed his efforts to 
spread the gospel, must suffice for this period of his history. 

On one of his ordinary visits to New Milford, he preached on 
the doctrine of human responsibility, from the words, " Who ivill 
render to every man according to his works.'''' Rom. ii. 6. After 
preaching, a young minister, it is presumed of the Standing Order, 
and a candidate for the vacant parish, objected to his having per- 
suaded all to choose religion and seek God, and for inviting all to 
Christ. He listened patiently to the objection ; and, turning upon 
the young Calvinist, asked him, " I}o you not believe that God has 
decreed that some men should not be saved ?" " Certainly, I do." 
" Do you not believe Christ opened a way by his death, whereby 
aM might possibly be saved ?" This was also answered in the 
affirmative. " Well 2 _J±ejn J ^ doctrine, has not 

Christ opened a way whereby God's decrees, might be broken? 
Will you explain this contradiction to me V He tried to escape 
the dilemma, and repeated the effort ; but it was fruitless. Involved 



314 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



in inextricable confusion, he gave up the matter, and left the obsti- 
nate Arminian intrenched and invincible, behind the strong ram. 
parts of free grace, freely offered to all ! 

At a place called Mount Desert, he experienced a chapter of 
incidents. He went by water, in a canoe, and was accompanied 
by a physician. He found, on reaching the place, it was training- 
day ; and there was a large collection of both sexes, — the women 
waiting for the termination of the muster, in order to join in the 
festivities of a dance. But when they learned his purpose to 
preach, tbey were sorely perplexed. Some said, We will have a 
dance ; others said, Nay, but we will have a sermon. The v;oman 
of the house said, " If they would not hear the gospel, they should 
not dance." The man of the house cried out, " If the Lord has 
sent the man, let us hear him ; but if the devil has sent him, let 
the devil take him away again." But the Preacher told them he 
would not preach in the house at all ; and he left the house, to 
seek a place where he would be less likely to violate the prohibition 
of an improper use of pearls. But the chapter was not completed. 
On his way from this modern Babel, a man, calling himself a 
Christian and a Baptist, went with him. He was a strong fatalist, 
or, what amounts to the same thing, a Calvinist. He was brim- 
ful of religious talk, and soon discovered that Mr. Lee believed 
that Christ died for all men, and that all were called by God, and 
might come to Christ and be saved. This discovery put him in 
violent passion ; he denounced it as damnable doctrine ^ and seemed 
ready to swear outright, and 

" Prove his doctrine orthodox 
By apostolic blows and knocks." 

This developement of Calvinistic Christianity filled Mr. Lee with 
commiseration for the deluded victim of " the high mystery of 
predestination." If the mystery has any foundation, or ever fur 
nishes an illustration of its power — here was a specimen of prede- 
termined wrath and folly ! Poor man ! he could not discern 
" what manner of spirit he was of." and yet he could talk of what 
God did " from all eternity !" Strange folly of man ! There was 
yet another section in this day's chapter. According to appoint- 
ment, Mr. Lee preached in the afternoon. His text was 1 Pete? 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



315 



;i. 9. He had a goodly company of hearers, among them his pre- 
destinarian companion of the morning ; and he had no more sym- 
pathy for the sermon than he had for the conversation. This he 
indicated by shaking his head at every recurrence of an objectiona- 
ble opinion. There was another predestinarian in the house, and 
the two nodded their dissent at each other with the pertinacious 
effrontery of Mesmeric pretension. As the Preacher proceeded, the 
influence seemed to increase, until their heads scarcely did any- 
thing else but shake. This was offensive to Mr. Lee, and presently 
it became annoying. It attracted the congregation ; and, as they 
seemed by look and motion to say, " that's not true," " nor that," 
he thought it quite time to stop their motions. So, stopping in his 
discourse, and fixing his bright, burning eye upon the face of one 
of the malcontents, until every other eye followed and rested upon 
the same face, he drawled out in slowly measured tones — " I should 
be glad if you would try and keep your head still." It was enough. 
The head fell upon the breast, and remained stationary during the 
rest of the service. 

If reason is the " column of true majesty in man," the will is the 
broad and firm foundation on which it rests. The subjugation of 
the will to the authority of God is the object of religion, and the 
proof of its power. A singular remark of an aged man, just 
brought under the government of grace, is mentioned by Mr. Lee. 
It was during a" revival of religion in Falmouth, an old sinner was 
converted, and filled with the elements of a new spiritual life. 
Some one, perhaps thinking it a sign of approaching dissolution 
and feeling an interest in the estate of the old convert, asked after 
his will. " I have none," was the reply. " What have you done 
with it ?" " I lost it upon the ledge the other day," — alluding to 
the place of his conversion, and to the fact that his own will was 
absorbed and lost in the will of God. In religion, my will is the 
essence of selfishness, rebellion, and disorder. " Thy will be done, , 
is the substance of peace, holiness, and perfection. 

After a year spent amidst toils and trials such as are here 
recorded, Mr. Lee repaired to the seat of the Conference, Thomp- 
son, Connecticut. About thirty ministers were present, some of 
them from the province of Maine. Seven Deacons and five Elders 
were ordained by Bishop Asbury. Beside this, except the remarks 



316 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



" We talked together, and rejoiced in the Lord," and " were closely 
employed" during the two days of the session, we can find no 
record of its proceedings. 

Another schism, small in its character, partial in its influence, 
and brief in its duration, is to be recorded as a part of the history 
of the times comprehended in this chapter. It occurred in Charles- 
ton, South Carolina, and was guided by the Rev. William Hammet. 
Devoid of elements of usefulness, and only powerful to do evil, it 
soon and happily lost the little influence derived from the acknow- 
ledged abilities of its author, and passed into oblivion. It never 
flourished, even in Charleston, and, beyond a few Societies in the 
state, it is not known to have extended. The causes operating to 
produce this schism, even upon the authority of Mr. Hammet him- 
self, must be considered, if not utterly trivial, at least entirely insuf- 
ficient to justify a rupture of his Church relations. At this distance 
of time, they seem not only unworthy of the Christian character 
of both the leader and his adherents, but might authorize now, as 
then, a very just suspicion of other and very different motives from 
those given to the public in his "Appeal to Truth and Circum- 
stances, by William Hammet," — a pamphlet issued from the Charles- 
ton press in 1792. A brief account of these " Circumstances" will 
satisfy the demands of history, and sustain the truth of our opinion 
of their real character, Mr. Hammet came to the United States from 
the West Indies, where he had spent four or five years in the minis- 
try, under the general direction of Mr. Wesley, and the immediate 
superintendence of Dr. Coke. In company with Dr. Coke, he ar- 
rived in Charleston in February 1791. Too feeble to keep pace 
with Dr. Coke in his rapid travel through the countiy, he was left in 
Charleston, where he remained until May, preaching, and " visiting 
from house to house." His labours in this city gave so much satis- 
faction to the Society, that, on his departure for Philadelphia, to 
attend Conference, they sent an earnest petition for his return 
as their pastor. In Philadelphia, in an interview with Bishop As- 
bury, he determined to continue in America, and take an appoint- 
ment in the regular plan. He was accordingly received, and re- 
turned to Charleston as the field of his ministry. On the adjourn- 
ment of Conference, he obtained permission from the Bishop to visit 
New York and Baltimore. In the latter city, containing then, as 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



317 



now, the largest and most influential Society of Methodists in the 
country, he spent some time ; and entered into negotiations with 
some of the Society to become their pastor. This, and some other 
circumstances, superinduced a suspicion of his stability, in the 
mind of Bishop Asbury, and led him to alter the plan of the ap- 
pointments so far as to continue the Rev. J. Parks, who had been 
appointed to Georgetown, South Carolina, in Charleston as the I 
colleague of Mr. Hammet. This step was taken after the affair in j 
Baltimore, and previous to the arrival of Mr. H. in Charleston. | 
The measure, however, gave him great offence, although it still left 
him as chief pastor in charge of the Society. It was the proxi- 
mate cause of his secession, if not solely the origin of it. He 
objected to the stay of Mr. Parks in the city, because of the expense 
it would bring upon the Society. This was a suggestion of his 
own — the Society seems to have felt no solicitude upon the subject. 
To carry his measure of removing his colleague, which seems to 
have been the real motive of his conduct, he stirred up excitement 
in private and public to such an extent, that the Rev. R. Ellis, Pre- 
siding Elder of the District, admonished him of his improprieties, 
and notified him of his intention to submit the whole matter to the 
adjudication of the Conference. Upon this, he resolved to with- 
draw from the Church ; and, in a letter to Mr. Ellis, under date of 
November 28, 1791, he resigned his pastorate, and withdrew from 
the fellowship of Methodism. He was now at liberty to make 
inroads upon the Church ; and he was but too successful in build- 
ing up a party in Charleston. And by the aid of a few ministers, 
who united with him, he may have established a very few Societies 
elsewhere. But the record of them, if any ever existed, is either 
lost or forgotten. Their memorial has perished among living 
things. By this untoward event, serious injury was done to Me- 
thodism in Charleston. Many of its attached and influential friends 
were estranged ; and barren years succeeded these disasters of its 
early seed-time. Its effects may still linger around the grave of 
him whose later years so poorly recompensed the promise of his 
early labours, when, under due submission to just authority, he was 
" diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." After 
his secession, Mr. PI., by his popularity and the influence of those 
who united with him, succeeded in erecting a commodious house 



318 



THE LIFE AXD TIMES OF 



of worship and a parsonage ; both of which, we believe, were 
settled upon himself. His Society did not long survive him : and, 
after his death, his property passed into the hands of the Method- 
ists. It has since been destined by fire ; but its name has been 
transmitted to the present edifice, and Trinity Church ranks as 
one of the most popular and influential of our Churches in Charles- 
ton. Such is a brief outline of an affair that had its origin in 
resistance to just authority ; and whose entire history, apart from 
the evils it inflicted upon the cause of religion, might furnish a 
very appropriate illustration of the remark, that we often lose more 
by contending for our supposed rights, than we could possibty suffer 
by submission to a palpable wrong. 

I The s econd General Conference of the Church was held in Bal- 
timore, orTtheH20^ consisted of one hundred 
and twenty members, drawn together from the different portions of 
the itinerant field. The body was in session fourteen days ; and 
from the amount of business done, the members must have been 
working-men. A brief general view of their proceedings is all our 
limits will admit of, apart from the personal history of Mr. Lee, 
and of his connexion with the stirring events of the occasion. One 
of the first and most important duties of the Conference was the 
r evision of the Discipline. Methodism not only preached perfectio n 
to others, but sought to be perfect itself. Hence, much of the time 
of its quadrennial synods was devoted to the work of reviewing the 
operations of the system, correcting what experience discovered to 
be defective, consolidating its economy, and in concentrating its 
measures upon the great original object of its organization — the 
spread of holiness in the earth. We have given, in a preceding 
chapter, the grounds upon which, in 1792, they proceeded in mo- 
derating or strengthening their plans, according to the suggestions 
of experience, or the demands of necessity. For the same reasons, 
but with extreme caution, they entered upon the work of revision 
in 1796. In the prefatory address to the " Minutes of the General 
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, begun at Baltimore, 
on the 20th of October, 1796," we find the following sentences, 
among others as just and pertinent. " We can truly say, that we 
have been fearfui of making alterations. We have made none, 
which we do not believe to be highly necessary, or evidently useful 



THE REV. JESSE LEE 



319 



We have also added, as briefly as may be, our principal reasons ■ 
for every Minute. Our grand object is to raise and preserve a holy 
and united people. Holiness is our aim ; and we pay no regard to 
njjjQabexs. s .but in proportion as they possess the genuine_.principles 
of vital religion." In the same connexion they vindicate their 
course from any suspicion or imputation of assuming authority, by 
referring to their former determinations on the subject of revision, 
and to the fact, in their own appropriate words, of the unquestioned 
right of the entire ministry to be present and object, if need be, by 
argument and vote, to any of the enactments of the body. " Our^Ge- 
neral . Conference," they say, " is held once only in four years, and 
it is open to every Preacher inibll cgnnexjoa. Every such Preacher 
has therefore ample time to weigh every subject of importance, to' 
consult upon it with all his friends, and to be present at the General 
Conference, to give his vote, a s well as declare his sentiments at 
l a^ge .1 or he may deliver his thoughts, in confidence, to one or 
more of his brethren, who intend to be present." Acting under the 
influence of such principles, and in view of such checks upon their 
conduct, posterity must accord to them personal rectitude, and offi- 
cial integrity, whatever may be its verdict as to the character and 
tendency of their measures. 

Heretofore the Conferences were confined to small districts of 
country, composed of a small number of ministers ; a nd were as - 
sembled at th e^I eas ^e ,iU)ri fiPPv^^^nfiCthf 8 fftfthfrF- This \ 
feature of the system was now remodelled, and settled upon a basis ; 

th at atUL ^gj^ feii , an d gives form aD^ ^fiiBtfffly, U) ^iarMJKftffi^Vfl*Wif^iffl^? j 

sys tem... Six Conferences, independent of each other, with defined 
boundaries and limited powers, were established ; with provision 
for a seventh, in the province of Maine, " if the Bishops see it ne- 
cessary." These six original Conferences were New England, 
Philadelphia, Baltimore, Virginia, South Carolina, and " the West- 
ern Conference, for the states of Kentucky and Tennessee." To 
each of these Conferences was given jurisdiction over the Church 
within its bounds. The rule stands: — "U nder the direction o f] 
^which (C onference) shall b e the affairs of our Church," &c. The 1 
" reasons" accompanying and justifying this regulation are not un 
important at the present day. After a mere reference to the pre- 
vious plan of holding Conferences, they say : " This was attended 




320 THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 

with many inconveniences. — 1. There were but few of the senioi 
Preachers whose years and experience had matured their judg- 
ments, who could be present at any one Conference. 2. The 
* Conferences wanted t hat dignity which every religious synod 
jfhouid possess, and which always accompanies a jjj ffigg assembly 
! of gospel ministers. 3. The itinerant plan was exceedingly 
' cramped, from the difficulty of removing Preachers from one dis- 
trict to another. All these inconveniences will, we trust, be 
removed on the present plan, and at the same time the Conferences 
are so arranged that all the members respectively may attend with 
little difficulty. To all which may be added, that the active, 
zealous, unmarried Preachers may move on a larger scale, and 
preach the ever blessed gospel far more extensively through the 
sixteen states, and other parts of the continent ; whilst the married 
Preachers, whose circumstances require them, in many instances, 
to be more located than the single men, will have a considerable 
field of action opened to them, and also the Bishops will be able to 
attend the Conferences with greater ease, and without injury to their 
health." These simple, but just and sufficient reasons, will com- 
mend themselves to unbiassed common sense in every age and 
phase of society. 

The Deed of Settlement, for protecting the property of the 
Church, in nearly the precise language of the present form, was the 
enactment of this General Conference. " The reasons" given for 
this Minute are clear and forcible, and if they had been preserved 
in the Discipline as explanatory of the rule, much of the senseless 
clamour that vexed party spirit has vented against it, might have 
been prevented. At least, the strength and sufficiency of the 
reasons would have vindicated the law, and rebuked all opposition 
to it as unmerited and officious. In truth, however, no valid 
moral objections, and certainly no legal ones, can lie against the 
instrument, or the g exclusive rights it secures in all CJiurcJi^j^ro- 
perty to the members and ministers of the Church. This deed 
creates a Board of Trustees, constitutes them the legal guardians 
of the Church property of each particular Society, and invests them 
with authority, under certain prescribed circumstances, to alienate 
the property so held in trust from its original design, by mortgage 
or sale. The real ownership of all such property is recognised by 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



321 



the deed, as residing in the members of each particular Society. 
The ministry, in any grade of it known to Methodism, have no 
ownership in any such property. The original deed, after defining 
the objects of the trust to be " for the use of the members of the 
Methodist E. Church in the United States of America, according to 
the rules and discipline which from time to time may be agreed 
upon," &c. ; says : " And in further trust and confidence that they 
(the Trustees) shall, at all times, for ever hereafter, permit such 
Ministers and Preachers belonging to the said Church as shall from 
time to time be du]y; ..authorized" by the General and Yearly Con- , 
ferences , " and none otlrers^io preach 'and expouna God's holy [ 
word therein." Such are the principles of a deed of settlement 
which has been strangely affirmed to vest all the rights of pro- 
perty in our Church buildings, parsonages, &c, in the Bishops and 
Ministers of the Church, No affirmation can scarcely be less true, 
or more absurd. The unity of Methodism under the pastorai \ 
supervision of an itinerant ministry, was always a favourite J 
doctri ne a nd fixed purp ose of our fathers. And the preservation! 
eT'The' general unity of an indefinite, but great and constantly 
increasing number of particular Societies, demanded just such a 
regulation with respect to property, as was provided for in the deed. 
Congruously with such objects, a different mode of adjustment would 
have been imperfect and repulsive. This was the argument of the 
Conference in the adoption of the law. " The preservation of our 
union, and the progress of the Word of God, indispensably require 
that the free and full use of the pulpits should be in the hands of 
.-reneral Conference, and the Yearly Conferences authorized by 
t hem. Of course, the Travelling Preachers, w hp are in full connexion 
assembled in their Conferences,, are the patrons of the pulpits of our 
churches. And this was absolutely necessary to give a clear, legal spe- 
cification in the deed." It was to perfect a legal title to the property, 
and secure it to its original objects, that this feature of the deed was 

* And none others. These words have been since omitted. But, as used by 
the Conference, they were not intended to be so exclusive as they seem to sig- 
nify. It seems the Conference were of opinion that a particular specification of 
the ministry to occupy the pulpits was essential to the legal perfection of the 
instrument; and therefore they defined the ministry as itinerant, not local, and 
Method istic, to the exclusion of all others. 

21 



322 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



adopted. This is obvious from the additional reason given for the 
enactment. In immediate conjunction with the language just quoted, 
we find the following words : " If the Local Preachers, Stewards, 
and Leaders (who have an undoubted right to preach, meet their 
classes, &c, in the preaching-houses at due time, according to the 
form of discipline) were specified, it would be necessary to add a 
description of their orders ; which would throw such obscurity 
upon the whole, that a court of justice would either reject the deed, 
or be at a loss to determine concerning the little peculiarities of our 
form of discipline." They also disavow all " design of limiting in 
the least degree the privileges of any of the public officers of ' the 
Church but solely intend to preserve the property of our Church 
by such a clear simple specification, as shall be fully and easily 
cognizable by the laws." Did they err in thus securing to their 
own use property sacredly committed to them for holy purposes ? 
Exclusive right to use the pulpits erected for them, is all that the 
Conference claimed, or the deed conceded. To object, therefore, to 
this feature of our economy, is to complain that our Churches are 
not made free, or that exceptions are not incorporated in our deeds 
in favour of the equal rights of every religious denomination, of 
whatever doctrinal creed, or standard of morals. 

An evil of great magnitude in every period of American 
Methodism, has been the retirement of her ministers from the 
itinerant pastoral work. Various causes have led to this partial 
abandonment of ministerial duty ; and many schemes have been 
devised for its prevention. One, that promised much, and has 
outlived every other, without effecting what it was hoped it would 
accomplish, originated with this General Conference. The in- 
sufficiency of the provision for the support of ministers, especially 
those with families, has been one of the principal causes of this 
evil. To remedy this, it was resolved to create a Connectional fund, 
by contributions from the ministry and membership of the Church, 
to be committed to a Board of Trustees for investment, the produce 
of which was to be divided equally among the Annual Conferences, 
and by them to be again distributed to the most necessitous of their 
members. This measure was matured during the Conference, and 
was soon afterwards incorporated by the Legislature of Penn- 
sylvania, under the style and title of " The Trustees of the fund 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



323 



for the relief and support of the itinerant, superannuated, and 
worn-out Ministers and Preachers of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church (in the United States of America), their wives and children, 
widows and orphans." There was in previous existence a 
" Preacher's Fund," the stock of which was ordered to " be thrown 
into the Chartered Fund." " The produce of the sale of books" 
was also to swell this fund ; and a most urgent call was made on 
their " benevolent friends to promote this great charity." By 
special enactment of, the Conference, single claimants upon this 
fund could receive only sixty-four dollars per annum ; married 
persons, only one hundred and twenty-eight dollars ; and children, 
only sixteen dollars each ; and no money was to be drawn from 
the fund "until the first day of August, 1798.* Such was the 
origin and objects of what is still known among us as " The 
Chartered Fuud." The exact amount raised and funded under 
this measure of the Conference, we have taken no pains to 
ascertain. We only know it never met the expectation of its 
founders, nor answered, to any extent, the benevolent objects of 
its creation. Dr. Bangsf very justly says : " Though the creation 
of the Chartered Fund originated from the purest motives, and has 
been kept up and superintended by some of the most benevolent 
spirits of the Church, yet. it has never been able to pay more than 
from ninety to one hundred dollars a year to each Annual 
Conference ; and as this small amount would not, when divided 
among the several claimants, give to each but about two dollars a 
year, it may be questioned whether, by inducing a false dependence 
in the public mind, this fund has not defeated the objects of its 
institution, and disappointed the expectations of its benevolent 
founders and patrons." The, wisest measures of the best of men 
4onoJ_ahvays succeed. A more unselfish attempt to promote an 
important religious interest, can scarcely be contemplated ; and 
yet the elements of discomfiture were in the seeds of the measure. 
Its first and most fatal principle was a virtual repudiation of the 
doctrine of inspiration, — " They that preach the gospel, must live 
of the gospel and, if successful, it would have made the ministry 

* For a full account of the proceedings in this measure, see Lee's Hist. Me- 
thodists, pp. 235-244. Also " Minutes of the General Conference of 1796." 

t Hist. M. E. Church, vol. ii. pp. 50-51. 



324 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



independent of the people — an evil that, if it had not soon 
destroyed us, would have cursed us through all the generations of 
our existence, and to the remotest point of our influence. It may 
have done a little good in some cases of distress ; but it may also 
have prevented a great deal more from being done : for the sake 
of its pious origin, it may not have been entirely rejected as an 
agent for good ; but its general failure of securing its avowed 
object, may be justly regarded as a blessed interposition of God 
in behalf of Methodism. 

Previous to the Conference whose history we are reviewing, few 
and very faint lines of distinction existed between Local Preachers 
and the laity of the Church. T he authority to preach seems to hav e 
comprehended no Ecclesiastical rights. They were ineligible To 
ministerial orders ; and if accused of immorality were to be tr ied b y 
the laity. But a new line of policy was now adopted in elevating 
the office to ministerial rank, and conferring certain defined rights 
and privileges upon it. A rule was introduced into the Discipline 
securing the right of ordination as a Deacon after a probation of 
four years, on condition of presenting to the Bishop " a testimo- 
nial from the Society to which they belong, and from the Stewards 
of the circuit, signed also by three Elders, three Deacons, and 
three Travelling Preachers." The rule upon this subject, as it 
stands in the Discipline of 1796, presents a singular specimen of 
Ecclesiastical legislation. It is appended to " Section iv., 1st Chap- 
ter : " Of the Election and Consecration of Bishops, and of their 
Duty," in these words : " N. B. The Bishop has obtained J ibwU/, 
by the suffrages of the Conference, to ordain Local Preachers to 
the office of Deacons, provided they obtain a testimonial," &c, as 
quoted above. * The law, nearly as it now exists, respecting the 
trial of Local Preachers, was also changed, and made to conform 
to their new and improved circumstances and relations — a trial by 
their peers, and the right of appeal to the Yearly Conference. Pro- 
vision was also made to compensate them for services rendered to 
the Church in supplying the place of a Travelling Preacher, and 
also under certain circumstances of necessity and distress, to give 
them relief. We can find nothing in the legislation of the Church 

* See Discipline, 1796 ; Minutes of the General Conference ; and Lee's His- 
tory, pp. 244-247. v 1f f^ 1 i . . W A V 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



325 



respecting their graduation to Elders' orders. Elders who had tra- 
velled, retained their orders on locating. But it is presumable this 
grade of the ministry was withheld from those who had not entered 
the Travelling Connection. If we are right in this conjecture, we are 
utterly at a loss as to the grounds on which it was rested; and, in the 
absence of their reasons, it would be uncharitable to condemn them. 

We return to the personal history of Mr. Lee, especially as it is 
connected with one, and not the least important, of the measures 
of the General Conference of 1796. What part he acted in the 
business just reviewed, cannot be certainly determined. One of his 
contemporaries,* and a member of this Conference, speaking of him 
with reference to its proceedings, says, " I had the privilege of 
sitting with Brother Lee, in three General Conferences where busi- 
ness to a considerable amount was transacted. I considered him 
a very useful member of the General Conference; and always 
among the foremost in discussing and lpiaHjng^nn the most difficult 
business." In one of the difficult and delicate matters requiring the 
attention of the Conference, Mr. Lee acted a most decided and dis- 
tinguished part. Hitherto, Mr. Asbury, with very partial assist- 
ance from Dr. Coke, had borne the whole burden of Episcopal 
duty. He had been for some time desirous of dividing this burden; 
and now the magnitude of the work, the frequent and long European 
visits of Dr. Coke, and his own failing health, made it necessary to 
appoint some one to " this office and ministry in the Church." A 
resolution to strengthen the Episcopacy was accordingly intro- 
duced. At its commencement, or pending ' its discussion, Mr. 
Asbury rose, and stated to the Conference the fears that agitated 
his mind on the occasion, and the reasons for them. He feared an 
imprudent selection ; and expressed the hope that the choice might 
fall on some one who was well established in the doctrines and dis- 
cipline of Methodism. "This threw a damper on all present, and 
seemed to paralyze the whole business." The resolution was then 
modified so as to read thus: " to strengthen the Episcopacy in a 
way which should be agreeable to Mr. Asbury." It was then 
almost unanimously agreed to, and requested of Mr. Asbury to 

* Rev. John Kobler, in a letter to the author, dated Fredericksburg, Va., 
June 2d, 1843. 



326 THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 

makfc the selection himself, which he appeared very backward ana 
unwilling to do," At this juncture of the affair a new and greater 
difficulty was started. Dr. Coke, who was present, and occupied 
the chair, requested the suspension of action upon the subject until 
the afternoon session. When the body assembled again, " Dr, 
Coke offered himself wholly to the Conference, promising to serve 
them in the best manner he could, and to be entirely at the dis- 
posal of his American brethren, and to live or die among them." 
This brought the whole subject under discussion, and elicited a 
protracted and earnest debate. We are chiefly concerned with the 
ground occupied by Mr. Lee. He opposed the entire procedure, 
except the naked resolution to strengthen the Episcopacy. The 
proposition to submit the matter to the choice of Bishop Asbury, in 
either of its modifications, was, in the judgment of Mr. Lee , a de- 
parture from the law of the Church governing t: the election of 
Bishops." The General Conference of 1784 had settled this ques- 
tion; and he was too strenuous an advocate for the integrity of the 
Discipline, in its letter and spirit, to sit silently by and witness its 
violation. Besides, there was another grave matter involved, which, 
unseen by others, his far-reaching vision comprehended, and his 
stern devotion to principle compelled him to arrest. The proposi- 
tion invaded the rights of the Conference, and miaht hereafter be 
plead as a precedent for the usurpation of power. Perceiving 
the bearings of this measure, he opposed it with all his might, as 
involving a present wrong, and promising a future evil. If respect 
for, and confidence in, Bishop Asbury, had been the simple or sole 
question at issue, his tongue had obeyed the behest of his heart 
and been still. But interests were at stake that friendship, how- 
ever devoted, might not interfere with ; and his honest independence 

1 could not hesitate between a question of love for the Bishop, and 
duty to the Church. Nor was he a whit more favourable to the 
| offer of Dr. Coke. He stretched the full strength of his broad and 
massive intellect in opposition to it ; and might have defeated it, 
but for the (in behalf of Dr. Coke) generous interposition of Bishop 
Asbury. The letter of Mr. Kobler, just now referred to, contains 
so accurate and comprehensive an account of this affair, that in 
justice to Mr. Lee, and for the truth of history, it is here copied 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



327 



entire. It is the only full and satisfactory account we have ever 
seen. Of the offer of Dr. Coke, Mr. Kobler says : 

" This unexpected offer, and to many an unwelcome one, opened 
the way to a large and spirited debate. A number present were 
warmly in favour of accepting the offer, and as many were against 
it. Mr. Lee was decidedly against, and he warmly opposed it. 
In fact, I believe he never liked the Doctor any way, from his first 
entering among us in 1784, to the last. He could not endure the 
absolute spirit, and overbearing disposition of Dr. Coke, as a high 
officer in the Church. Mr. Lee was a candid man, and in no wise 
disposed to give flattering titles to any, and as such he opposed 
the offer with great zeal and eloquence from first to last. He was 
a man of great penetration, could see through circumstances, and 
read men well. He was the best speaker in the Conference. He 
first showed that there were several members in our Connection 
who were well qualified to fill the office, having been long and 
well proved ; who were natives of the country, one of ourselves, 
and were well acquainted with the rules by which our civil and re- 
ligious privileges were regulated. But his most powerful argument, 
I well remember, was this : ' that the Doctor was a thorough-bred 
Englishman; and an entire stranger abroad in the country ; {out 
of the Church ;) that the deep-rooted prejudices against British op- 
pression, which by our arduous Revolutionary struggle we had 
so recently thrown off, still hung heavily, and was operating 
powerfully upon the public mind ; and that to select a high officer 
to govern our Church from that distant and tyrannizing nation, 
whose spirit and practice were held in abhorrence by the American 
people, would in his judgment be a very impolitic step, and would 
tend to raise the suspicions and prejudices of the public against us as a 
Church. He further said, he had frequently heard the same objections 
made against us as an American Church for having a native of 
England (Bishop Asbury) at our head ; and now to add another, 
who, in many respects, had not the experience, prudence, nor skill 
in government that Bishop A. had, would operate very materially 
against the best interests of the Church.' 

" The debate lasted two days, and was incessant; and during the 
time the Doctor was secluded from the Conference room. Mr. 
Lee and his party evidently had the better of the cause in debate. 



328 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



and were gaining confidence continually. In one of his speeches, 
Mr. Lee said he was 1 confident the Doctor would not fill the high 
office, and perform the vast amount of labour attached to it ; that 
England was his home, his friends and best interests were there, 
and without doubt he would spend most of his time in going to and 
fro between England and America, and leave the Episcopacy and 
the Connection as void of help as they were before.' When Bishop 
Asbury saw how the matter was likely to go, he rose from the 
chair, and with much apparent feeling said : ' If we reject him it 
will be his ruin, for the British Conference will certainly know of 
it, and it will sink him vastly in their estimation.' Here the debate 
ended. I well remember during the debate, the Doctor came into 
Conference and made a speech. Among other things, he said, ' he 
never was cast upon such a sea of uncertainty before.' This, I 
expect, made Bishop Asbury say, ' If ice reject him, it will be his 
ruin.' 1 The discussion was now stopped, and the whole matter 
submitted (though by many with reluctance) to Bishop Asbury's 
judgment — for they had, previously to the Doctor's offer, urged him 
to make his own selection. I have often wondered at Bishop As- 
bury's implicit confidence in Dr. Coke. Whether he felt himself 
bound, in conscience, to submit to one who ordained him to the 
office of Superintendent, or whether it was because he was Mr. 
Wesley's representative, I am at a loss to say. But the Doctor's 
conduct, in a short time, fully proved that Mr. Lee's opinions of his 
course were founded in a wise discrimination of character — for in 
a few months he went to England, and never appeared among us 
till four years afterwards !" 

In the commencement of this effort to strengthen the Episcopacy, 
a committee was raised to whom the subject was referred ; but ob- 
jections were urged against it, and it was dissolved. It is believed 
that it was in reference to the measures proposed in this committee, 
that the terms " ensnared" and " deception" are used in the follow- 
ing letter, addressed by Mr. Lee, under date of " April 29, 1797," 
to one of his early co-labourers in New England, the Rev. Daniel 
Smith, and yet preserved as a kind of sacred relic among his de- 
scendants. It has been placed in our hands, and from it we extract 
the subjoined sentences upon the point under consideration. 

" I have not heard from Brother Asbury for a long time. He 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



329 



liked to have ensnared us last Conference with another English 
Bishop. Thank Providence, I discovered the deception, and over- 
set the plan. I call that my work. I still say, no more English 
Bishops. I had rather lose one, than make one. I wish for an 
American Superintendent equal in power with Brother Asbury. If 
I live, perhaps I shall say so at the next General Conference."* 

In a historical notice of this affair, Mr. Leef says : " The Con- 
ference at length agreed to the Doctor's proposal, and concluded 
that if the Doctor tarried with us we could do with two Bishops, 
without ordaining a third, and the former vote for choosing anothei 
Bishop was dropped." 

The instrument drawn up and signed by Doctor Coke possesses 
considerable historical importance ; but the terms in which it was 
expressed will illustrate a remark in Mr. Lee's letter, respecting the 
" equal powers" of the Bishops, as well as justify his general doc- 
trine as to the rights and powers of the office. It is in these 
words : 

" I offer myself to my American brethren entirely to their ser- 
vice, all I am and have, with my talents and labours in every re- 
spect ; without any mental reservation whatsoever, to labour among 
them, and to assist Bishop Asbury ; not to station the Preachers at 
any time when he is present, but to exercise all Episcopal duties, 
when I hold a Conference in his absence, and by his consent, and to 
visit the West Indies and France, when there is an opening, and I 
can be spared." 

" Signed, THOMAS COKE. 

" Conference Room, Baltimore, October 27, 1796." 

* It is presumable the term "another English Bishop" had an exclusive 
reference to Mr. Whatcoat, who, having been on a former occasion recom- 
mended for the Episcopacy by Mr. Wesley, was now sought, in the Commit- 
tee, to be placed in that responsible office, although the Conference had once 
refused to elevate him to it. And it is quite certain the desire to " lose one 
English Bishop" is to be restricted exclusively to Dr. Coke. There is nothing . 
in this letter that conflicts with its author's long, matured, and pure-hearted j OA fcv)^© 
friendship for his " Brother Asbury." If the Conference had like to have been L 
"ensnared," the Bishop might have said, and Mr. Lee would have endorsed it,— | 
"in the innocency of my hands, and the integrity of my heart, have I done i~£~~ . '■ 

this " * *r v 

t Hist. Methodists, p. 248. 



330 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



There is one other fact bearing upon this matter, that we 
desire to submit to the reader before passing away from the 
subject. We have high authority to sustain the views so strongly 
urged by Mr. Lee in his opposition to the reception of Dr. Coke as 
a Superintendent. Whether the conjectures of Mr. Kobler re- 
specting the grounds of Bishop Asbury's preference of Dr. Coke 
be correct or not, one thing is clear, that ultimately, and at no 
very distant day, he gave in his adhesion to the doctrines of com- 
plete independence of British Methodists, and of an American 
Episcopacy. In his Journal, vol. ii. pp. 292—293, under date of 
Sept. 23, 1797, we find the following entry : 

" I received a letter from Dr. Coke ; as I thought, so it is — he 
is gone from Ireland to England, and will have work enough when 

he cometh there It is a doubt if the Doctor cometh to 

America until spring, if at all until the General Conference. I 
am more than ever convinced of the propriety of the attempts I 
have made to bring forward Episcopal men :* first, from the 
uncertain state of my health ; secondly, from a regard to the 
union and good order of the American body, and the state of the 
European Connection. I am sensibly assured the Americans 
ought to act as if they expected to lose me every day, and had no 
dependence upon Dr. Coke; ta king prudent o g re not to "place 
themselves at all under thc_ controlling influence of British 
2Icthodistsr 

In the scenes through which we have just passed with Mr. Lee, 
it will be perceived that his strong attachment to the discipline of 
the Church was only equalled, not surpassed by his singular devo- 
tion to Conference rights. For both of them, in their integrity, he 
contended in many a hard-fought battle, and we shall yet see him 
in the strife of debate, defending these important breastworks of 
our Ecclesiastical polity. In the pursuit of truth and duty, whether 
in the humble homestead of the frontier emigrant, or on the floor 
of the General Conference, he feared no presence, and dreaded no 
consequences. The only smile he courted was God's light upon 
his heart. He felt himself free, and forced others to confess him — 

* One of these men, as we shall see in the next chapter, was the Rev. 
Jesse Lee 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



331 



a man. His contemporary, to whose letter reference has been 
twice made, shall corroborate this opinion. " I considered him," 
says Mr. Kobler, " an able minister of the New Testament. A man 
of a strong and vigorous mind, and of great powers of argument. 
His self-possession was such that it appeared as if the fear of man 
never entered his heart. His elocution was of a superior order, 
and flowed with unstudied ease, as if from the rich fountain of 
nature. He was a great friend of our Church, and a strong man 
to defend our doctrines and discipline. Indeed, taking him as a 
minister altogether, his moral courage, his abilities, and unflinching 
perseverance, he seems to have been raised up by the Great Head 
of the Church for the defence and confirmation of the gospel 
wherever he went." 



332 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



CHAPTER IX. 

FROM THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1796, TO THE GEN- 
ERAL CONFERENCE OF 1800. 

Mr. Lee visits Virginia — Attends the Conference — Decrease of the Church — 
New England — Letter from Bishop Asbury — Presides in Conference — Re- 
commended to travel with the Bishop — Philadelphia Conference — Virginia — 
Unexpected Meeting with Dr. Coke — The Doctor just released from Captivity 
— Virginia Conference — Advises Bishop Asbury to rest — Mr. Lee sent South 
to supply his Place — Charleston — State of the Church in South Carolina — 
Georgia — Excessive Labour — Birth-day Presentiment — Virginia Conference 
— Persuades his Father to emancipate his Slaves — An Indignity offered to 
his Father — His own Views of Slavery — Journey North — Singular Cause of 
Conversion — Conference in Philadelphia — Petitioning for Preachers — Anec- 
dote ; Preachers vs. Reapers — Conference in Maine — Precious Fruits — Con- 
ference in Massachusetts — State of the Church — Statistics — Local Preachers 
— Returns South — John Dickens — An Apostate Minister — A revival Meeting 
— Stith Mead and John Easter — Anecdote — Charleston — Supplies Bishop 
Asbury's place in Georgia — Enters upon Northern Visitation — Singular Com- 
mencement of a Revival — Virginia Conference ; presides over it — Visits his 
Father — Baltimore Conference — Large Preachers — Philadelphia Conference 
— New York Conference — Prosperity of Methodism — A Night-ride, and bad 
Treatment — Journey South — Martin Boehm — Winchester Jail — A strange 
Meeting — Incidents of Travel — Charleston — Goes to Georgia — State of Mo- 
rals — Whitefield's Orphan-house — Returns to Charleston — Virginia — James- 
town — Baltimore General Conference — Important Alterations of the Disci- 
pline — Mr. Lee nearly elected Bishop — Review of the Causes of Defeat — 
Feelings — Anecdote — Note. 

It was four years since Mr. Lee had visited the home of his 
childhood. They had been years of anxious toil, and great self- 
denial, but of blessed fruitfulness in the work of an Evangelist. 
He needed rest — such rest as home, with its associations and joyous 
recollections, imparts to the weary and care-worn sower of the 
good seed of the kingdom. Accordingly, on the adjournment of 
the General Conference, in company with Bishop Asbury, Dr. 
Coke, and others, he took up the line of travel to the south. It 
was a cause of great joy that he found his venerable father vigor- 
ous in health, and steadfast in faith. His mother was not; God 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



333 



had taken her to her home in heaven. And his brother John, who 
had stood for awhile at his side on the walls of Zion, a young and 
valiant soldier of the Cross, was slowly descending to the house 
appointed for all the living. These circumstances made his visit 
one of mournful interest. But he murmured not. The creed of 
his heart recognised submission to God, as one of the first duties 
of piety ; and he bowed his head and worshipped — leaning upon 
the staff of his soul's trust — the hand that was strong to deliver and 
mighty to save. 

It was a privilege of this brief visit to attend a Conference for 
the Virginia district, held at Mabrey's Chapel, in Greensville 
county ; and once more to mingle with his early associates in the 
gospel field. Of this Conference, which held its sessions in a pri- 
vate house, Bishop Asbury says : " We sat in great peace, and 
good order. A few Preachers declined travelling. We elected 
and ordained six Elders and nine Deacons. The deficiencies of 
the Preachers amounted to upwards of <£194, Virginia currency." 
At this place the list of Church members, as they stood in each 
state respectively, was completed. The total was 56,664. Of 
this number 13,779 were in Virginia. This was the largest mem- 
bership residing in any one state. Yet there was a considerable 
decrease in the Church ; and had been for three successive years. 
In this period 10,979 members had been lost from the records of 
the Church. " The declension was mostly in the Middle States, 
and especially where the divisive spirit most prevailed." What 
had become of these members ? They were not found among those 
who had wantonly assailed, and ruthlessly ruptured the peace and 
unity of the Church of Christ. Where were they ? Perhaps many, 
like Cain, had gone out from the presence of the Lord, and away 
from the place of his worship, and were fugitives in the earth. 
Alas ! for them. But woe to those who led them astray ! 

Mr. Lee returned to his district in New England, in January 
1797. On his way thither he passed through many fields of his 
former labour ; and was refreshed by pious intercourse with old 
friends. It was a matter of sincere gratification to find a gracious 
work of religion in several circuits of his district ; and he threw 
himself into it with the ardour of a pure-hearted zeal for the salva- 
tion of precious souls. In the customary duties of his office he 



334 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



continued to set an example of Christian diligence, even "in labours 
more abundant" than any under his supervision, until, in the latter 
part of the summer, when his field was changed, and he was called 
to fill a larger sphere in the Church. 

The long daily journeys, and constant preaching of Bishop 
Asbury, were making sad inroads upon his health, and gradually 
wearing away his naturally robust and iron-like constitution. We 
find frequent reference to his bodily sufferings, in the period we 
are considering. On his northern tour, during the summer of this 
year, his health was so impaired as to cause him to abandon the 
hope of being able to meet his engagements at the extremes of the 
Union. Under these circumstances, he wrote to Mr. Lee, in 
August, requesting him to hold himself in readiness to leave the 
district, and go with him from the approaching Conference to 
Charleston and the more southern portions of the work. "Bishop 
Asbury needed such assistance ; and the interests of the Church 
required him to have it. He therefore looked to Mr. Lee as a man 
whose experience, talents, and integrity, entitled him to his confi- 
dence." In compliance with this request, Mr. Lee attended the 
Conference at Wilbraham, Massachusetts, on the 19th of Septem- 
ber. He was disappointed at not meeting with the Bishop, who, 
from severe indisposition, had been stopped short on the way. He, 
however, received a communication which, as a developement of 
the opinions and measures of the Bishop, and as bearing upon 
some very important events in the subsequent history of Mr. Lee, 
we copy in this place. 

" Bye am River, September 12, 1797. 
" My very dear Brother : I am convinced that I ought not to 
attempt to come to the conference at Wilbraham. Riding thirteen 
miles yesterday, threw me into more fever than I have had for a 
week past. It will be with difficulty I shall get back to the Widow 
Sherwood's, my house at present. I have sent Brother Wells, who, 
next to Jonathan, has seen much of my continued labours and 
afflictions, for many days and miles. The burden lieth on thee ; 
act with a wise and^tender hand, especially on the stations. I hope 
it will force the Connection to do something, and turn their atten- 
tion for one to assist or substitute me. I cannot express the dis- 




THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



335 



tress I have had in all my afflictions, for the state of the Con- 
nection. We say the Lord will provide. True ; but we must look 
out for men and means. The Lord could have provided without 
such a poor, worthless creature as I am, crossing the Atlantic. 
You and every man that thinks properly, will find it will never do 
to divide the North from the South. Methodism is union all over; 
union in exchange of Preachers ; union and exchange of senti- 
ments ; union and exchange of interest : we must draw resources 
from the centre to the circumference. Your brethren in Virginia 
wish you to come forth. I think the most general and impartial 
election may take place in the Yearly Conferences ; every one may 
vote ; and, in General Conference, perhaps one-fifth or one-sixth 
part would be absent. I wish you to come and keep as close to me 
and my directions as you can. I wish you to go, after the Confer- 
ence, to Georgia, Holston, and to Kentucky ; and perhaps come to 
Baltimore, in June, if the Osdination* should take place, and so 
come on to the Eastern Conference. You will have to follow my 
advice for your health, steel as you are. 

" I now conclude with my best wishes and earnest prayers for 
the Conference and you. 



Appointed by the Bishop, and elected by the Conference to pre- 
side over its deliberations, Mr. Lee performed all the duties of the 
Bishop, except ordination, to the entire satisfaction of the body. 
The Conference also recommended him to comply with the Bish- 
op's request to aid him in the arduous duties of his office in the 
Southern Conferences. Leaving Wilbraham, Mr. Lee repaired to 
New Rochelle, where he found the Bishop somewhat improved in 
health, though yet suffering. In a few days they commenced their 
journey to the south, reaching the city of New York on the 27th 
of September. Here they were rejoiced to witness the manifesta- 
tions of God's power and grace in the conversion of sinners. 

* " This has reference to a communication which Bishop A. made to the 
Conference at Wilbraham, which proposed the election of R. Whatcoat, F. 
Poythress, and J. Lee, as Assistant Bishops in the United States. It was re- 
jected, being thought contrary to the form of Discipline." Thrift. Memoirs 
of Lee. 



" As ever thine in Jesus, 



"F. ASBURY. 



336 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



The Philadelphia Conference for 1797 was to have been held 
in that city ; but owing to the prevalence of yellow fever and the 
great number of deaths, it was deemed advisable to hold it else- 
where. It was accordingly held at a place called Duck Creek, in 
the state of Delaware. Thither Mr. Lee repaired in company with 
the Bishop, still too feeble to preside in the Conference, but deter- 
mined not to hold his peace in the pulpit. The following extract 
from his Journal, under date of October 10th, is characteristic of 
his indomitable energy. " I appointed the President Elders to take 
my seat, and I sat alone, because the hand of the Lord was upon 
me. I was resolved to put out my strength to the last in preaching. 
My first subject was Isaiah i. 26-28 ; my second was on Luke 
xvii. 12 ; my third, 2 Corinthians xiii. 11. Great times, preaching 
almost night and day ; some souls converted, and Christians were 
like a flame of fire." This was hard work for a sick Bishop — but 
the Spirit of the Lord was upon him. At this Conference, also, 
Mr. Lee was recommended, by a unanimous vote, to travel with 
the Bishop, and assist him in his various and onerous duties. A 
larger field for labour and usefulness was thus opened before him, 
but he fainted not. He entered with the confidence of one know- 
ing the greatness of the trust, and resolved to face all its dangers, 
and brave all its responsibilities. 

" As ye go, preach." This was the command of Christ when 
he " sent forth his disciples two and two." It was a law of life to 
the early Methodist Preachers. Preaching and travelling were the 
sum of each day's history. A string of appointments, from one to 
five hundred miles, always stretched ahead of Bishop Asbury. It 
is almost a mystery how they were made and remembered, as some 
of them must have sometimes been of a year's standing. We must 
follow these men of God in their companionship of toil and suffer- 
ing. Eight days after the adjournment of the Conference in Dela- 
ware, they had to attend one in the city of Baltimore ; and from 
thence to that of Virginia, held on the 25th of November, at Lane's 
Chapel, in Sussex county. 

It will be scarcely necessary to follow them through the travel 
and toil of each successive day. A comprehensive summary will 
answer all the ends of our biography, and allow sufficient scope for 
the introduction of an occasional incident or adventure. It may, 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



33/ 



perhaps, be proper to remark that beyond the fact of a peaceable 
session, we can glean nothing of public importance from any 
account we have met with of the Baltimore Conference. Taking 
up their line of travel here on the 1st of November, they reached 
Georgetown on the 3d, and spent the Sabbath in Alexandria. " In 
this place," Bishop Asbury writes, " I ordained Thomas Lyell Dea- 
con," — a gentleman who subsequently entered into the ministry of 
the Protestant Episcopal Church. Pursuing their journey through 
the counties along the Potomac, and crossing the Rappahannock at 
Port Royal, they entered upon a series of appointments in the 
counties lying between Rappahannock and James Rivers, forming 
a section of Virginia earliest settled, and more full of historic inci- 
dent and interest than any other portion of the state. The Metho- 
dist reader of the present day, resident in those counties, may be 
gratified to learn that in houses where now, in the stillness of the 
country Sabbath, he worships the God of his salvation, these holy 
men — " faint yet pursuing," — worshipped with their fathers. At 
Pace's, Shackleford's, and Bellamy's Chapels, they held meetings, 
the results of which must have kindled rapture in Heaven. While 
riding through Gloucester, in the early morning of a cold day, to 
their very great surprise and pleasure, they met with Dr. Coke, in 
the graphic language of Bishop Asbury, " on a borrowed horse, 
and a large white boy riding behind him on the same horse !" The 
fact that Dr. Coke was a very small man, may have made the con- 
trast of the big boy behind him sufficiently ludicrous to excuse the 
quiet merriment of the Bishop. But the presence of the Doctor, 
apart from the circumstances of his appearance, was as much a 
matter of heartfelt joy to the group of itinerants, as it was of real 
astonishment. The meeting was wholly unexpected to both parties. 
The Bishop and his company supposed the Doctor to be actively 
engaged in Europe ; and he only knew the Bishop was somewhere 
in America. The truth is, the meeting was one of the mysteries 
of Providence. 

At the British Conference of 1797, Dr. Coke was sent with an 
Address to the American Conference, containing a request to 
cancel his engagements to continue, among them, and to suffer him 
to return to England, to devote himself to the Church in his 
native land, under their exclusive direction. He accordingly 



333 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



sailed from Liverpool on the 2Sth of August, in an American 
merchantman. The voyage was a protracted one, and full of 
danger. On Sunday, the 29th of October, the vessel was captured 
by a French privateer. The Doctor was robbed of his clothes, 
but allowed to retain his books and papers ; and after being 
detained some time on board the privateer, " they contrived means 
to set him on shore, to pursue his way, and make his friends 
acquainted with the disasters of his voyage.*'* Under these 
circumstances these brethren beloved of each other met : and 
after a brief interchange of sympathy, and an arrangement to 
meet at a Quarterly Meeting, perhaps on the next day, they sepa- 
rated. After this the Doctor "joined himself unto them," and 
they travelled in company to the Virginia Conference. The 
communication from the British Conference, although officially 
addressed to the General Conference, was submitted by Dr. Coke 
to the Conference held in Virginia. They could not receive and 
consider it officially, and they declined doing so. They never- 
theless ventured an expression of their opinion upon the subjects it 
embraced, and proffered their advice. Bishop Asbury framed and 
signed the address, not officially as President of the Conference, 
but as an individual communicating the unofficial opinions of the 
members of the Conference. This document is dated " Virginia 
Conference, Nov. 29th, 1797.'* After stating the sole and ex- 
clusive right of the General Conference in the premises, it affirms : 
" No Yearly Conference, no official character, dare assume to 
answer for that grand federal body. By the advice of the Yearly 
Conference now sitting in Virginia, and the respect I bear to you, 
I write to inform you that in our own persons and order we 
consent to his return, and partial continuance with you, and ear- 
nestly pray that you may have much peace, union, and happiness 
together.** He also gives a comprehensive summary of the 
state of the Church, and the burdensome amount of Episcopal 
labour : and gratefully refers to Mr. Lee, in the following confi- 
dential terms : " I have now an assistant, who does everything for 
me he constitutionally can : but the ordaining and stationing of 



* Drew's Life of Coke, pp. 2S1-284. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



339 



the Preachers can only be performed by myself, in the Doctor's 
absence."* 

At this Conference, Bishop Asbury sought the advice of his 
brethren, as to the line of duty under his deep and constantly in- 
creasing afflictions. They gravely considered the matter, and 
counselled him to cease from preaching, at least until the ensuing 
spring. They also requested Mr. Lee to proceed to the south, and 
supply the Bishop's lack of service to the Churches, by filling his 
appointments, and doing whatsoever it was lawful for him to do in 
relieving the necessities of the Bishop's absence and inability. The 
Bishop, after urgent entreaty, consented to this arrangement, in- 
tending to overtake Mr. Lee in a few weeks, and to accompany 
him, at least, in this visitation. But soon finding himself growing 
worse, he submitted to the necessity laid upon him, and wrote to 
his substitute, requesting him to go on and do the best he could. f 
Thus commissioned, and with all these responsibilities resting upon 
him, Mr. Lee addressed himself to his journey. It was not an 
easy one ; having nearly five hundred miles to travel, and twenty- 
five appointments to fill, in the space of thirty days. But such 
things were common in those days of pure itinerancy. In so 
rapid a flight through the country, very little beyond the ordinary 
routine of riding, preaching, and pausing — not resting, that entered 
not into their calculations — to eat or sleep, is left for the gleaning 
of the biographer. It is enough to know that, in this journey, Mr. 
Lee met all the demands of duty, gave entire satisfaction to all 
concerned in the matter, and reached Charleston on the 1st of 
January, 1798; having left the Virginia Conference on the 29th 
of November preceding. It was nearly thirteen years — February, 
T785 — since, a mere stripling, he had visited the city, in company 
with Bishop Asbury and Mr. Willis, for the purpose of establishing 
regular Methodist worship in the place. On that occasion, Mr. 
Lee preached the first sermon ; and a gentleman, named Wells, 
was brought under religious awakenings ; his house became the 
home of the ministers, and his family the warm friends and steady 
adherents of the Church. But now he was not — God had taken 

* Drew's Life of Coke, pp. 285-6, where the entire document may be found. 
tHist. of Methodists, p. 252. 



340 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



him from the trials of time to the triumphs of eternity. Dr. Coke 
and Bishop Asbury were in Charleston when this first trophy of 
Methodism was gathered home to his rest in heaven ; and they 
were privileged to pay the mournful tribute of their tears to the 
memory of this generous and noble-minded servant of Christ. Mr. 
Lee could only go to the grave and weep there. A very different 
state of things from those thai marked his former visit, greeted 
Mr. Lee on his entrance into Charleston. There were now two 
neat houses of worship, and a flourishing company of believers 
to welcome him and wait on his ministry. The South Carolina 
Conference commenced on the 2d of January, and was conducted 
in great peace and harmony. This is the only record of it we can 
find. The Minutes report the members in Society in the city at 
seventy-seven whites, and four hundred and twenty -one coloured : 
and in the state, at three thousand three hundred and fifty-four 
whites, and one thousand one hundred and seventy-nine coloured. 
An increase on the preceding year, of six hundred and sixty-one 
whites, and two hundred and eighty -nine coloured ; an encouraging 
result of the year's labour. 

The appointments of Bishop Asbury extended into the state of 
Georgia. These Mr. Lee must also attend. Accordingly, on the 
adjournment of Conference, he resumed his journey, visited Au- 
gusta, and went to the southern limits of the Union. During this 
trip he met with many old friends from Virginia, who had left their 
native state in pursuit of a richer soil, and greater facilities to be 
" rich and increased in goods." He spent twenty-seven da}"s, and 
preached twenty-one sermons in Georgia ; and from the eagerness 
of the people to hear the words of life, he was led to express the 
belief that God would soon and abundantly pour out His spirit upon 
them to revive and save. Mr. Lee was a close observer of things, 
and his remarks upon the soil and its productiveness, the character 
and habits of the people, their fondness for high living, and their 
e< ungovernable turn, both in Church and State," will furnish us 
with authority for the opinion that his belief of an approaching 
gracious revival of religion was founded in the conviction of its 
general and absolute necessity. As in all newly settled countries, 
the corruption of manners could not fail to strike an intelligent and 
pious observer. On the 3th of February he left the state, and re 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



341 



turned on his path to the remote northern sections of the Church. 
During the preceding year the plan of the Conferences had been so 
arranged as to begin in the south in the winter, and terminate in 
he extieme eastern states in the summer. Under this system the 
first Conference for the year had been held in Charleston. The 
second was to be held at Salem, in Virginia, on the 9th of April. 
Thither Mr. Lee now turned his face, following the track marked 
out for the Bishop, and filling his appointments, but not satisfying 
the great desire everywhere prevailing to see the Bishop in person.* 
We may not follow him in his long and solitary rides, nor witness 
the earnest eloquence with which he warned listening multitudes to 
fiee the wrath to come. Let us glean one ripe cluster from his 
fruitful experience, to refresh our own hearts while journeying along 
the highway, or resting by the way-side. In the pilgrimage of 
life Mr. Lee had reached his natal hour — always a season of 
calm and sober reflection to him ; and he thus records the feelings 
that kept jubilee in his heart — that lifted up their voice and sung 
sweet songs of praise to the God of his salvation. 

"Monday, 12th of March, was my birth-day; I am now forty 
years old. I have enjoyed religion twenty-five years, have been 
in the Methodist Society twenty-four years and four days, and a 
Travelling Preacher about fifteen years. I feel, as much as ever, 
determined to spend my days for the Lord. My soul is stilf pant- 
ing after God. I wish to be more than ever devoted to his service ; 
and if I live to the Lord, I expect to be in heaven before I see forty 
years more ; however strange it may appear, so it is, that I have 
often thought that I should live till I was about fifty-six years old. 

" I do not pretend to say that the Lord has revealed this to me. 
It may be from an evil spirit, or it may be vain thoughts. Time 
ivitt 'show ; but if I were called to die to-morrow, I do not know that 
I should have any objections. I do feel a pleasing hope of leaving 
all my troubles when I leave the world ; but if my life is prolonged, 
I hope to be the instrument of bringing a few more souls to God, 
before I rest from my labours." 

It may not have been a presentiment, in the ordinary acceptation 

* In his Journal, under date December 12, 1797, the Bishop says: "J. G. 
Martin brought letters of consolation from R. Whatcoat and Jesse Lee. AUg % 
the wishes of my dear brethren and sisters that waited to see me," 



342 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



of the word, that impressed him with the belief that he would just 
about survive his fifty-sixth year ; and yet it is a fact, that he did 
not reach his fifty-ninth. But he died daily in a self-consecration 
to God, that kept him in constant readiness " to depart and be with 
Christ." 

Pursuing his route northward, he reached the seat of the Virginia 
Conference in time to preach its first sermon ; on Rom. ii. 7. Of 
the service he says, " We had a most powerful, weeping, shouting 
time ; the house seemed to be filled with the presence of God ; and 
I could truly say, it was a time of love to my soul. " Bishop 
Asbury exhorted for some time, and the people were much melted 
under the word." The Conference was held at Salem, it is believed 
in Brunswick county, on the 9th of April, about four months from 
the one of the preceding fall : this was done in order to fall in with 
the arrangement for holding the Conferences heretofore mentioned. 
Everything was agreeable and harmonious during the session. It 
was a season of great spiritual refreshing. " Several new Preachers 
engaged in the work, and we had a very good supply for all the 
circuits." It was a source of great joy to Mr. Lee to meet once 
more with Bishop Asbury ; and to find him, though worn and 
wasted with affliction, harnessed for the conflict with sin, and going 
forth, as of yore, in the front of the battle, " as a good soldier of 
Jesus Christ." On the adjournment of Conference, leaving the 
Bishop and his companions to wend their way to Baltimore, Mr. 
Lee turned aside to seek a few days' rest at his paternal home ; 
where he spent a week of unalloyed pleasure in social intercourse 
with his family and friends. 

One chief object of this visit was to importune his now aged 
father to provide for the emancipation of his slaves. His father 
had not yet made his will ; and he knew that if he died intestate it 
would involve all his children in the necessity of slaveholding. 
How many of them would have regarded this as an evil, it would 
be difficult, at this distance of time, to determine. But there is 
good ground for believing it would not have contributed to the hap- 
piness of either of the two sons who had given themselves to the 
work of " testifying the gospel of the grace of God." The older 
of these, Jesse, was no doubt governed by this consideration on the 
occasion we are now examining. The language of his Journal, 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



343 



brief as it is, is explicit ; and fully confirms the opinion of his un- 
willingness to be left, upon such a subject, to the chances that would 
become certainties in the event of his father's demise without a will. 
He says : 

"Saturday, 14th (April), I spent part of the day in walking 
about the plantation with my father, to see how he had fixed mat- 
ters ; and withal to talk with him about many temporal matters. 
I wished him to make his will, for the peace of those who might live 
after him, and for the sake of his negroes who are yet in slavery ; 
but he was not determined about it." 

The italicized sentence in this extract unquestionably compre- 
hends those of the children whose " peace" might be very consider- 
ably disturbed by an inheritance of slaves. For this reason, 
therefore, as well as for the sake of the slaves themselves, he 
wished to have the question put at rest by a legal preparation for 
any emergency. He did not, however, then, nor at any subsequent 
period, succeed in securing an object for which he felt so earnest 
and generous a solicitude. His father left a will and distributed 
his servants among his descendants. One of these servants at 
least was known in the family as Jesse's, in the intention of his 
father, and he only escaped the legacy by dying before the will 
was written. Before passing away from this subject, two facts of 
some general interest may be introduced to the notice of the reader : 
the one illustrating the history of the times we are reviewing, 
especially with regard to the intolerance of anti-slavery sentiments 
among Methodist Ministers ; and the other embracing a question 
of fact recently started in connexion with the character of the 
subject of these memoirs, and which deserves to be definitively 
settled. The first of these facts refers to the elder Mr. Lee. We 
have already seen that he was one of the first Methodists of 
Virginia, and to the latest period of his life, he was one of its 
staunchest friends and supporters. For long years his house was 
the home of its ministers. Yet he was a slaveholder, received into 
Society as a master of slaves ; and lived and died possessed of 
them. At a time when the anti-slavery feeling was approaching, 
or had reached, the extreme point of its imprudence, this father of 
Methodism in Virginia was met with averted eye and rebuked with 
magisterial authority by those who had often sought his sympathy 



344 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



and shared his hospitality. He was growing old, and was a lover 
of peace, calm in his feelings, and firm in his purpose to serve God 
and save his soul. He was not ignorant of the opinions the minis- 
ters he loved were broaching, nor of their plans to " extirpate the 
oreat evil of slaverv :" nor was he unapprised of the sad inroads 
they were making upon the confidence of the people and the for- 
tunes of the Church. But he held his peace, even while his sor- 
row was stirred, and his heart might have been hot wi hin him. 
" From the loop-holes of his retreat" he looked upon the commo- 
tion around him without feeling its giddy whirl. Happy had he 
been, if left to pursue " the noiseless tenor of his way along the 
low sequestered vale of life." But no ; party violence must rebuke 
him ; and it sought to do so, when, like John, he was " reclining 
upon the dear Redeemer's breast." On one occasion, in the midst 
of these high party excitements, he knelt at the altar to receive the 
holy communion. Often had he knelt there, and those who had 
the rule over him were as glad to give him the tokens of the 
broken body and blood of Christ, as he was to receive them. But 
a change had come over them. The}* had found out slaveholding 
was a sin, and he was a slaveholder ! When, therefore, he thus 
knelt with heart lifted up to God, and hand stretched out to receive 
the sacrament, he was — not passed silently by in the distribution 
of the elements, but openly repulsed, and rudely commanded to 
withdraw from the holy place. He was a slaveholder, and a slave- 
holder might not confess Christ before men ! Calm as a Christian, 
dignified as a patriarch, and with a brow pale and passionless as 
marble, he rose and returned to his place : a tear stood in his eye, 
and a sorrow was born in his heart: but he endured, as seeinsHim 
who is invisible, and when, in the twilight of that day, as was his 
wont, he " entered into his closet ;" and prayed, he felt that he filled 
a lower place on a higher platform of holiness than he had ever 
previously experienced. The servant rebuked ; but the Master 
blessed ! This is one of the pictures of the times ! The question 
of fact we have referred to respecting the son of so worthy a sire, 
is, whether he was ever a slaveholder. This question has been 
recently started.* It may as well be settled here and at once. 
The question can only be answered in the negative. If he had 

* Since the General Conference in New York. May 1844. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



346 



survived his father, we doubt not but he would have inherited one 
or more slaves ; unless for " his peace," a special exception had 
been made in his favour. Upon this subject, however, very little 
need be said, as that little can be said with so much positiveness. 
Fie never received a slave by inheritance or gift ; and never bought 
one with money. This is affirmed upon the authority, first, of a 
near surviving relative who knew " all his estate ;" and secondly, of 
his last will and testament, now in possession of the writer,' in 
which there is not a word upon the subject. More might, but need 
not be said. So much for the question of fact. The views of Mr. 
Lee respecting slavery as an institution, and with regard to the re- 
ligious character and rights of slaveholders, are different questions, 
on which it is enough to remark in this place that he had no sym- 
pathy for the ultra views and disorganizing measures of those 
whose affinities found their level in the severe and reprehensible 
course pursued against his venerable and honoured parent. The 
position the stripling took in his contest with Dr. Coke, in 1785, 
was maintained when experience had matured his judgment, and 
age and devotion to God had added authority to opinions always 
weighty, and everywhere received with respectful deference. 

On the 20th of April, in company with his brother John, now 
rapidly descending to the grave, Mr. Lee left the paternal mansion, 
in order to overtake Bishop Asbury, at the Baltimore Conference ; 
from whence he intended to re-enter his work in New England. 
In this tour, he spent a night in Richmond, and preached in the 
court-house, on 2 Cor. vi. 17, 18. The Society here was small, 
and, as* yet, had no house of worship. One, however, was in 
course of erection, and during the year, or early in 1799, it was 
completed. Owing to the inability of his brother, whose weakness 
required short rides, he did not reach Baltimore until the 1st of 
May. The night of his arrival, he preached in the Dunkard's 
Meeting-House, on Heb. x. 24. There was " a good little stir 
amongst, the people. It was a time of love and weeping." Of the 
Conference he says : " We had a great deal of peace and union 
for the four days and a half that we sat together. No one was 
expelled, and none located. One Preacher was received on trial. 
There has been but little stir of religion in the bounds of the Con- 
ference, except in a few circuits." The scarcity of revivals seems 



346 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



to be referred to, and very justly, as a reason for the fact that only 
one Preacher was received, and sent forth to the harvest of souls. 
Here, in the society of his old friends, he spent several weeks, 
after the adjournment of Conference ; and it was his happiness to 
assist, as we learn from Bishop Asbury,* in the solemn dedication 
of a new house of worship ; the second, it is presumed, that was 
built in the cky. It is worthy of mention, as it furnishes evidence 
of- the popular confidence in his ministry, that Mr. Lee was 
selected, from among many, to preach the first sermon on the 
occasion. 

There are strange mysteries in Providence ; and "the Holy 
Spirit, who works when, where, and as He will," sometimes em- 
ploys verv singular methods to save a soul from death. Mr. Lee 
mentions an instance of this kind ; the truth of which we may not 
doubt, but which, nevertheless, in its effects cannot fail to interest 
and surprise us. He had left Baltimore, on his northern tour, and 
passing through a circuit formerly travelled, preached at the house 
of a friend named Vansant. After preaching, in a social conver- 
sation Mrs. Vansant gave him an account of the causes that led 
her to embrace religion, as a matter of personal experience. We 
submit it to the reader, in the plain, unvarnished language of his 
Journal. 

" After meeting, Mrs. Vansant gave me an account of her being 
brought to seek religion. She said, after her husband was con- 
verted, he used to talk to her about her soul's welfare ; and others, 
Preachers and private members, would talk to her, and persuade 
her to serve the Lord ; but she did not like to be spoken to on the 
subject, unless it was by wise and sensible persons ; for she was 
too proud to be advised by everybody. However, the Lord took a 
strange method with her. About ten or twelve years ago, she and 
her husband were standing at the door, and she said to her hus- 
band, ' I do wish we had money enough to buy another goose; for 
we have but one.' Her husband said, ' Never mind ; only trust in 
the Lord, and he will provide you a goose.' In a few moments, 
they heard the noise of a goose, and looked, and saw one flying in 
the air, which soon came and lighted down in the yard, with their 



* Journal, vol. ii. p. 315. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



347 



goose and gander. ' There,' says her husband, ' I told you if you 
would trust in the Lord, he would provide a goose for you ; and now 
he has done it.' She said she was so struck with the circumstance, 
that she began to believe that there was something in religion, and 
so began from that time to seek the Lord. She is now a steady 
Methodist, and says she is happy in the enjoyment of religion. 
She further told me that they had inquired all about the neighbour- 
hood, to know if any one had lost a goose ; but could never find 
where the goose came from, from that day till now, and the goose 
is still with them. Flow strange is this ! that a woman who was 
too proud to be advised by common men, should be -humbled and 
brought to seek the Lord by a strange goose." 

Pursuing the route marked out by the Bishop, Mr. Lee arrived 
in Philadelphia in time to assist at the Conference held on the 7th 
of June. Here, as we learn from him, and Bishop Asbury also, 
there were some unpleasant things, but not among the ministers. 
They were of one heart and mind in the knowledge and love of 
God. The lajtv^sxeiaJo have created difficulty by pressing the 
Bj shop and CQnfereijce to furnish them ministers selected from the 
first rank of talents, from all the Conferences in the Union. This 
could not be done without detriment to the general interests of the 
Church; and it has always been a maxim of Methodism, "better 
one suffer than many." The Bishop was willing to tax the liber- 
ality of the Connection, " to finish the Meeting-House in Fourth 
street ; but he could not " draft the most acceptable Preachers to 
serve the city Societies." Mr. Lee mingled very little in these 
matters, except in so far as his advice may have been sought, and 
then he was always ready to show his opinion, unbiassed by fear or 
favour. While in the city he busied himself, as far as his semi- 
Episcopal duties would allow, in preaching the word — striving to 
glorify Christ in the redemption of precious souls. Indeed it was 
in duty, pulpit duty especially, that his soul prospered, and the fires 
of love and zeal were enkindled and kept bright in his heart. 

In New York, on the 9th of July, Mr. Lee parted with his bro- 
ther John. This was a severe trial. The journey from which so 
much was hoped had yielded nothing favourable to the general health 
of this suffering servant of Christ. He was evidently and rapidly 
growing worse. His symptoms were so threatening as to make it 



348 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



indispensable for him to return home. He accordingly parted with 
his brother, and returned to Virginia by water. It was a sorrowful 
day for the elder of these affectionate brothers. It had all the 
painful apprehensions of a last parting to him. But hope pointed 
to a world, one of whose perfections is that " friends shall meet 
again, who have loved," and whose meeting " no parting e'er shall 
know;" and duty pointed one to a pathway of toil, the other to a 
course of suffering and submission, both, however, terminating at 
the foot of the throne of God. Which should pause in his career, 
or turn aside from the way 1 The iron-framed Jesse was not more 
resolved to do, than the gentle John was to suffer, the will of God ; 
and thus both, in different spheres, but with equal heartiness, might 
show forth the praises of Him who called them out of darkness into 
marvellous light. Grace was reigning in both, and each was yield- 
ing precious fruit. 

It was probably during the period we are reviewing, that an inci- 
dent occurred to which Mr. Lee sometimes referred in the social 
hours of his subsequent life. It was the time of harvest. A 
Methodist gentleman, accustomed to entertain the Preachers singly, 
or in companies, as they then frequently travelled, had gathered 
his neighbours together to assist in reaping his fields ; and for 
their good cheer had provided an excellent dinner. Just about the 
time for eating, a squad of ministers hove in sight and drew nigh 
to the* house, and were received with a generous welcome by the 
good man. Of course they must eat first; and they had travelled 
far, and were hungry. Under these circumstances, they made 
deep incisions and broad openings in the choice and well-stocked 
dishes. And when their appetites were appeased, there was a sensi- 
ble decrease of the quantity of the material on hand at the begin- 
ning, to say nothing of the disappearance of the " nice bits" of the 
repast. Thanks were said with a general response, and the Reve- 
rend gentlemen gave way for their humbler neighbours. These 
paused at the chairs, and a hungry-looking genius, with a dry 
gravity of demeanour, essayed to ask a blessing upon the fragments 
that, remained of the feast. Rolling his eyes first upon the meagre 
dishes, and then round upon the Preachers, he closed his eyes 
clasped his hands, and said : 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



349 




"■ O, Lord, look down on us poor sinners, 
For the Preachers have come and eat up our dinners." 



A merry laugh from the reapers rewarded this sally of their com 
panion. The Preachers were at a loss how to receive it. Bat Mr. 
Lee, into whose nature wit always entered without asking admit- 
tance, put a period to the embarrassment. Stroking his capacious 
and well-filled stomach, he broke forth into a broad, convulsive 
laugh, every voice of which betokened how truly he relished both 
the dinner of his friend and the wit of the reaper. 

Advancing in their Eastern journey, they arrived in New 
London on the 20th of July ; where, to his very great joy, Mr. 
Lee found the Society engaged in the erection of a. house of worship 
for their own use. He regarded this as foretokening the prosperity 
of Methodism in the place, and prayed that in days to come it 
might be a praise and blessing to the people who should tread its 
aisles, and offer the incense of a spiritual worship in its courts. 
Before leaving the place, he preached at, or on, the foundation of 
the new building. Passing among scenes full of interest, and 
hallowed in every recollection of his heart ; visiting old friends, 
and renewing former friendships ; entering every open door, and 
preaching the great doctrines of the Cross in every place, they reached 
Readfield, the seat of the first Conference ever held in Maine, on 
Saturday, the 25th of August. The time intervening before the 
opening of the session, was spent in preaching, visiting from house 
to house for purposes of edification, and in such pious exercises 
as, according to the times, were deemed profitable for the use of 
edifying. Much was anticipated from this Conference. • A very 
general interest had been excited, and multitudes near and remote 
were looking forward to it with a strong and pervading anxiety. 
And when the day arrived, vast crowds were assembled to witness 
its proceedings, and receive its instructions in the way of righteous- 
ness. The first day was engrossed with Conference business. The 
second was divided between business and devotion. Mr. Lee shall 
describe it in his own words : " The second day we sat in Con- 
ference very early, and broke up at eight o'clock. At nine o'clock 
we held love-feast, and had a large number of Methodists together, 
and none else. They spoke freely and feelingly. It was a good 
time. At eleven o'clock Bishop Asbury preached a good sermon 



350 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



and though before meeting he appeared to be weak, yet, while he 
was preaching, he was quite strong and courageous. We then 
ordained Timothy Merritt, Robert Yellaley, and Aaron Hum- 
phrey, Deacons : and Roger Searle an Elder. It was a solemn 
time at the ordination ; but the people were so crowded in the 
galleries that were not finished, that some of the joists gave way, 
and frightened the people very much for a few minutes, — and some 
were slightly hurt. Then I preached on Rom. xvi. 20. My soul 
was much animated with the presence of the Lord. The people 
were melted into tears. It was a precious time to many. We 
next administered the Lord's supper. I suppose there were over 
two hundred communicants : it was a most solemn time at the 
table. I was astonished at the sight ! to see so many people at 
the Lord's table, when it is not quite five years since we first came 
into this part of the country."' God was working a great work 
among the people : and it was by such labours as we have just 
recorded, that so much spiritual good was effected. But the day's 
work was not yet finished. After these public services, Mr. Lee 
records : " Mr. Asbury borrowed my horse, and set out on his 
journev, and left me to settle the remainder of the Conference 
business. I was quite busy rill bed-time. I felt thankful to God 
for the privilege of being at the first Conference ever held in the 
province of Maine." He had good reason to be thankful. Much 
of the fruit seen on this deeply solemn occasion was from seed of 
his own sowing. A joyful harvest had been reaped, on fields that, 
a few years previous, were barren and unfruitful ; but now they 
were viekling in rich abundance the precious fruits of holiness and 
peace, to beautify the Church and bless the world. His surprise 
at the result of his labours is no drawback upon his faith in the 
power of the gospel to save sinners, and his joy no man might 
take from him, Other men had entered into his labours ; but he 
was the first to penetrate that moral wilderness : and here, all 
around him, were proofs that he was sent of God : the proofs of 
apostleship. the fruits of the ministry — a renewed and happy 
people, were his witnesses. 

The next, and last Conference for the year 179S, was to be held 
in Granville, Massachusetts. Bishop Asbury, having left Mr. Lee 
to close up the business of the Conference at Readfield, proceeded, 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



351 



as his health would permit, to Granville. Thither Mr. Lee re- 
paired, and the Conference was opened on Wednesday, the 19th 
of September. About fifty ministers were in attendance. Ten were 
admitted on probation. This Conference was held for the New 
York district, and in many respects was an important one. Bishop 
Asbury says : " We had many weighty and deliberate conversa- 
tions on interesting subjects, in much plainness and moderation." 
But what the subjects were, we are not informed. Perhaps they 
were of local and temporary interest, that in the nature of things 
could scarcely survive the circumstances that invested them with 
importance. It is to be regretted that, since "our fathers" occupied 
so much time in Journalizing, they devoted so little of it to such; 
]uomi of Ecclesiastical importance .as sprung up in their Con- 
ferences ; and which, beside the floods of light they might throw 
upon our history, might also serve as a most excellent guide in 
matters that now often demand the light of other days, and the ex- 
perience of " men of old," in order to their just and proper settle- 
ment. According to Mr. Lee, the Conference at Granville was a 
pleasant and profitable one. " We had a blessed time in preaching ; 
Preachers and people were melted into tears." A good revival was 
in progress in many parts of the Conference. Multitudes had been 
cut to the heart by the word of trut u , producing godly sorrow, and 
working repentance unto life and salvation. About one thousand 
souls had been added to the Church, and one-fifth of this number 
were in that part of the Conference lying in Vermont. These were 
cheering facts ; a ministry congregating from such a work of reli- 
gion could not be otherwise than warm-hearted and spiritual. Nor 
can the fact of the reception of ten candidates for the sacred office, 
taken in connexion with this gracious revival, he at all surprising, 
since it is one of the fruits, if not the divinely sought objects of re- 
vivals, to increase and strengthen in all the graces of religion, the 
divinely constituted messengers of the grace of God. This is so 
general and uniform a result as to have become an axiom. It is 
at least a settled opinion, — a cherished feeling among the pious. 

Here the Conferences ended for the year. About nine months 
were occupied in attending them. It had been generally a success- 
ful year to the Church throughout her borders, and in every de- 
partment of her operations. The membership of the Church had 



352 



THE LIFE ±yD TIMES OF 



been strengthened by a nett increase of 1422 whites, and 84 
coloured ; a total of 47,867 whites, and 12,302 coloured. Of this 
number, 10,856 of the former, and 2,432 of the latter, more than 
one-fifth of the whole, were in Virginia. Then, as now, the most 
fruitful soil of Methodism known to the Church was in the Old 
Dominion, Mr. Lee, who was very fond of statistics, and remarka- 
bly exact in them, had sought, during the year now closing, to ob- 
tain a full and accurate return of the Local Preachers within each 
Annual Conference. He gives the following as the result of his 
inquiries into this important feature of our Ecclesiastical polity : 
there were about 850 Local Preachers, distributed among the dif- 
ferent Conferences, and rendering very efficient service to the 
Church in promoting the Kingdom of God in the world. One- 
fourth of this number, 251, were ascertained to be in Virginia. He 
also states the number of Travelling Ministers at 269, showing what 
is yet true, a very great disproportion between the two classes of 
Preachers. Perhaps a great majority of the Local Preachers had 
once been in the Itinerancy ; but from various causes had been in- 
duced to locate. It was owing chiefly to this fact, that the General 
Conference of 1796 had given permission to the Bishops to ordain 
such of this class of ministers as had not been in the regular work. 
To this measure Mr. Lee was strongly opposed, and he made 
strenuous efforts to prevent the adoption of the rule. He feared it 
would encourage the location of ministers, already one of the greatest 
drawbacks to the efficiency and success of the work in which they 
were engaged ; and he apprehended evils of a nature and magni- 
tude then scarcely to be apprehended by any, but since most fear- 
fully realized. He had the facts of the O'Kellyan schism, whose 
chief potency for mischief to the Church was derived from the local 
ministry, as data on which to rest his arguments, and a justifiable 
ground for fearing, if not predicting, future evils. There are cer- 
tainly anomalies, neither few nor unembarrassing, in such a com- 
position of the ministry, that prove the whole machinery an acci- 
dent, rather than an element of our Ecclesiastical constitution. It 
does not inhere in the system : it is rather a graft upon it ; and 
yet, to carry out the figure, without materially strengthening the 
tree, it, for the most part, yields precious fruit in great abundance 
and variety. Mr. Lee was not insensible of the good produced by 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



353 



the labours of Local Ministers. But he knew that it required the 
cultivation of great leniency on the part of just authority, and con- 
stant respect for, and reverence of, that authority on the part of 
those whose position, in spite even of intellectual and moral supe- 
riority, like that of the centurion, is " under authority." It was a 
cardinal principle with him, that no man could, or ought to, take 
the office of the ministry upon himself, " but he that is called of 
God, as was Aaron." And when thus taken, the vows of God 
were upon him for life. It was a warfare from which there was 
no release. Regarding the ministry in this light, as pastors caring 
for the flock, he could not give his consent to a measure that ex- 
acted vows that, in the nature of things, could never be met, and 
provided pastors without ever intending them to have a flock. If we 
understand his views, at this distance of time, he wished to make 
provision by which, when circumstances demanded retirement from 
the active itinerant work, the Minister might retain his membership 
in the Conference, and still be associated in the authority and re- 
sponsibilities of the pastoral work and function. It was from no 
opposition to, or want of respect for, the Local Ministry, that he stood 
up in opposition to their ordination, but because he wished to pre- 
serve unimpaired the integrity and influence of the ministerial office, 
and to perpetuate its efficiency in connexion with, and under the 
direction of the constituted authorities of the Church. Such were 
his views of what must be conceded as a grave question of Eccle- 
siastical legislation, and although they were not adopted as a prin- 
ciple of our economy, yet neither did they perish with their utter- 
ance, or die when he departed this life. They are living still among 
living men, but too weak yet to work out their consummation of 
excellence to the ministry, and glory to the Church. 

Having finished the visitation of the Conferences for the year 
1798, it only remained for Mr. Lee and his travelling companions 
to repair to the south, in order to resume their duties, according to 
the late arrangement, at the extremity of the work, as they had 
done in the preceding year. We need not travel with them 
through the long rides and daily duties of this southern journey. 
There are a few points of interest, however, at which we may 
pause and refresh ourselves with such incidents as may illustiate 

their character, and contribute to the truth of history. 
23 



354 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



New York, at this period, was a kind of plague-spot. The yel- 
low fever was fatally prevalent ; and the city was shunned with a 
most pertinacious regard to personal preservation. A remark in 
Mr. Lee's Journal indicates a very considerable anxiety, not only 
not to " come nigh to the city," but also to get quite out of and 
away from the state. He says : 

" Friday, September 28. We made an early start, and crossed 
the North River seven miles above the city ; ice rode quite fast, 
and soon left the state of New York," &c, hurried through New- 
ark, and scarcely paused, or it may be, looked behind them, till 
night and Elizabethtown put at once a stop to their ride and a 
quietus to their fears. Amid the blaze of light that modern science 
has concentrated upon " the theory and practice of medicine," it is 
difficult to comprehend the fears which filled all men's minds, upon 
the appearance of new forms of disease. Flight was the supreme 
and universal panacea. Every one who could, " took to his heels" 
for safety ; and those who could not, met the necessity of staying 
in the same city with pestilence, with a dogged submissiveness that, 
so far from being the offspring of a virtuous resignation, was not 
even creditable as an exhibition of manliness. 

At Burlington, October the 3d, they were deeply grieved at 
hearing of the death of one of their most distinguished and faith- 
ful fellow-labourers in the gospel, the Rev. John Dickens, who, 
with his daughter, had fallen victims to the yellow fever, then also 
raging in Philadelphia. The following notice, in his Journal, will 
show the estimate in which Mr. Lee held the deceased, and the 
sorrow that filled his heart on hearing it : "I have not felt so 
much distressed at hearing of the death of any person for a long 
time. In the death of Brother Dickens, we have lost one of the 
best of Christians, a good Preacher, a worthy and much-respected 
man, and an uncommonly faithful Superintendent of the Book 
Concern." This was a severe affliction to the Church, in several 
respects. Mr. Dickens was one of the earliest American Methodist 
Preachers, having entered the itinerancy in 1777. After travelling 
extensively in Virginia and North Carolina, until 1781, he located, 
for some cause not now understood; but, in 1783, was readmitted 
into Conference, and stationed in the city of New York. Here he 
continued several years, as a pastor and Superintendent of the 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



355 



Book Concern. In 1789, the Book business was transferred to 
Philadelphia, and Mr. Dickens was placed in the city, as Book 
Agent. In this relation he continued, until a triumphant death 
crowned a faithful and laborious life.* Perhaps no one in the 
ministry of Methodism was so well qualified to superintend the 
business of printing books, in which the Church, with so wise and 
far-seeing a vision, had just engaged, as Mr. Dickens. He was an 
excellent theologian, well acquainted with the doctrines and polity 
of Methodism, possessed of very creditable scientific and classical 
attainments, and industrious and diligent in all the duties of his 
calling.")" Dr. Bangs, from whom these facts are derived, also 
says he was the author of the "'Short Scriptural Catechism,' 
which has been published for many years at our Book-Room ;" 
and that " it contains a body of divinity in a few words, se- 
lected from the Holy Scriptures, arranged in due order, in the 
very phraseology in ' which the Holy Ghost teacheth.' " By this, 
" being dead, he yet speaketh ;" and many a mind has been 
expanded to the perception and appreciation of saving truth by this 
short and simple manual of faith. He that drops a seed of the 
Word of God in even an infant's mind, puts in motion an influence 
whose reign is mighty, and whose field is eternity. 

A soul ruined by " making shipwreck of faith," is a mournful 
spectacle. But a minister, an occupant of the holy place, fallen 
from his high estate, is a sight that might make an angel weep. 
Mr. Lee met with a case of this kind ; and it affected him with 
keen pangs of sorrow. He says, under date of October 6th, and 
at a place called North East, in Maryland, " I was greatly pained 

at hearing of the apostacy of R C , an old minister, 

dismally fallen." The doctrine of " final perseverance" may be 
regarded by its advocates as " very full of comfort ;" but there are 
many fearful facts in the history of Christianity, that make its 
teaching of very doubtful expediency, and confidence in its truth a 
questionable and terrible experiment. A fallen minister ! He who 
stood in the high places of Christianity, trusted by men, and 
cheered and helped on in his way by angels, with an humble 

* Lee's History of the Methodists, pp. 253-254. 

t Minutes of Conference for 1798; or Bangs's Hist. M. E. Church, vol. ii. 
p. 68. Dr. B. copies from the Minutes without acknowledgment. 



356 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



heart, and a joyful trust in God, bounding along in the path of 
glory, honour, and immortality, to have paused in his career, or 
turned aside from his course, the crown fallen from his brow, and 
the leaves of the tree of life trampled in the dust at his feet, 
presents a sight dismal enough to make the cheek of darkness pale, 
and to freeze with new horrors the warm currents of a Christian's 
hope. " Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." 
It is possible to fall from grace ; and, therefore, the urgent necessity 
of adding constant watchfulness to fervent prayer. We turn from 
so sad a picture to a brighter scene. 

Pursuing their southern course, they were at Paup's Meeting- 
House, it is believed, in Brunswick county, Virginia, on the last day 
of October. By previous arrangement, Bishop Asbury was to have 
met the Local Preachers, perhaps of the Conference District, in this 
neighbourhood. A few only came, but they had a season of re- 
freshing together. The Bishop preached " a good discourse" on 
Eph. v. 25, 26, 27. Mr. Lee exhorted ; and " the power of the 
Lord was present amongst them. Many wept, and some cried 
aloud with deep distress." After the congregation was dismissed, 
the class-meeting was held. The Rev. Stith Mead then began to 
sing; and, in a little while, many were affected, and there was a 
general weeping in the house. At this stage of the meeting, the 
Rev. John Easter proclaimed aloud, " 1 1 have not a doubt in my 
soul, but God will convert a soul to-day.'* The Preachers then 

* Stith Mead and John Easter. These were holy men, " full of faith and 
the Holy Ghost." A volume might be written of their mighty deeds in win- 
ning souls to Christ ; and of their life-long zeal, and unwavering faith in the 
literal and exact fulfilment of the promises. The former was greatly blessed 
as an agent or instrument in the conversion of sinners. Wherever he went, 
whenever he preached, the word was blessed. The writer knew him when 
" in age and feebleness extreme ;" and even then was he honoured of God in 
the saving of souls. He was simple and sincere of heart — took God's Word as 
a living and powerful agent of the Almighty Spirit, and preached it in full as- 
surance of faith, both as to its truth and efficiency; and it was not in vain : 
Sinners were cut to the heart, mourners in Zion were comforted, and believers 
were edified and blessed. The latter was a wonder to many for the childlike 
trust of his belief in " every word of God." The gospel was God's voice of 
mercy and grace, and the Bible the words of its utterance to men. Faith had 
no mystery in it to him beyond the mere exercise of power. What he wanted 
he asked of God. Answers to prayer are promised. He always expected its 
fulfilment in the things he asked. The following incident will serve to show 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



357 



requested all that were under conviction to come together. Several 
men and women came and fell on their knees ; and the Preachers, 
for some time, kept singing and exhorting the mourners to expect a 
blessing from the Lord, till the cries of the mourners became truly 
awful. Then prayer was made in their behalf, and two or three 
found peace. My soul did magnify the Lord, and rejoice in God my 
Saviour." Such is the simple recital of a most glorious meeting, as 
given by Mr. Lee. Such results of preaching and praying, were com- 
mon in those days of simplicity and earnestness. Indeed, they were 
sought as proofs of a Divine designation to the ministry, and also 
of the presence and blessing of God upon efforts made in con- 
formity with the belief of having authority to teach, and to preach 
Jesus Christ as a powerful Saviour, always nigh at hand. Who 
shall say their views were defective, or their faith vain? The 
signs of apostleship were prominent in their labours, and especially 
in the success of saving souls, with which God so mercifully and 
so abundantly blessed them. Mr. Lee was particularly fond of 
such manifestations of the Son of God in His gracious power. It 
was a kind of fixed principle with him never to let a congregation 
go from his preaching entirely unaffected. He would excite them 
in some way. He would make them weep, if he could ; bringing 

his faith, and illustrate the doctrine of asking in faith. He was preaching once 
to a large crowd in the open air. In the midst of his discourse a storm rose. A 
dark and fearful cloud, vivid with forked lightning, and vocal with harsh thun- 
der "muttering sounds of sullen wrath," and driven by a mighty wind, was 
hurrying furiously over the congregation. Consternation sat on every face, and 
fear filled every heart. The storm waxed louder and more appalling, and the 
panic-struck assembly started to their feet to seek safety in flight. Just at 
this moment the Preacher fell on his knees, lifted his hands, and implored God 
to turn aside the storm, and not allow it to prevent the people from hearing the 
words of life and salvation. Coincident with the prayer, as multitudes attest, 
the clouds parted right and left, leaving a clear sky over the worshippers, and i 
deluging the neighbouring fields with floods of water. This is one instance of I 
many related by the survivors of his ministry, of the public answers God merci-j 
fully vouchsafed to the prayers of his faithful servant. This answer to prayer 
and faith is related upon the authority of several intelligent and pious men, who 
were present on the occasion, and who assured the writer that all the circum- 
stances left the clear conviction of a Divine interposition in answer to prayer 
upon the vast and awe-struck assembly. Kindred facts in great number and 
variety might be collected from our earlier history to illustrate the scriptural, 
God-honouring faith of our fathers. 



353 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



his fine voice, warm affections, and glowing eloquence to bear upon 
this result, with strong and earnest intensity. If he failed in this, 
he would essay to alarm them with deep and solemn warning of 
words and manner : and, if all failed, he would shake their sides 
with some pertinent illustration or anecdote ; and then, having 
moved them, seek, by all the appliances of truth, earnestness, and 
affection, to guide their stirred-up thoughts and sympathies to the 
fountain of living waters. A dull, drowsy congregation, was an 
abomination in the holy place that made everything desolate. It 
is related that, on one occasion, he went to a country Church, and, 
for want of publicity to the appointment, there was only one person 
— a lady — in attendance. He went in the pulpit, and she sat in 
the door to get the benefit of the sun, as the day was quite cold, 
and there was no fire in the house. Presently, to the surprise of 
the lady, he rose up, gave out his hymn, sung, and, as if a multi- 
tude had filled the place, gravely said, " Let us pray ;" and, kneel- 
ing down, poured out his soul before God, in supplication for God's 
blessing upon the congregation. He next read a chapter out of 
the Bible, took his text, and proceeded, with all due formality, to 
its discussion. While he was preaching, " the fire burned," and 
in the application, a flame of holy joy was kindled in the heart of 
his solitary hearer ; and they praised God for all the good things 
He had done for them, and in hope of the great glory that is to be 
revealed to the pure-hearted in heaven. The congregation was 
formally dismissed, and all retired. On going to a house in the 
neighbourhood, who knew nothing of the appointment, he surprised 
them very much by his account of the meeting — assuring them 
that, in one respect, it surpassed any he had ever seen, as every 
soul in the house was engaged, at the same time, in shouting and 
praising God ! 

A grateful remembrance of favours was one of the excellencies 
of Mr. Lee's character. We may here record an instance in which 
this feeling is developed. The reader will recollect the friend he 
found in North Carolina, when in his youth he first went out from 
his father's house to act for himself in the busy world. That 
friend had departed to the place of his rest in heaven : and his 
widow had again entered into holy wedlock. In this journey to 
the south, Mr. Lee spent a night with the family ; it was the first 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 359 

since the death of his friend and benefactor. Soon after reach- 
ing the house he sought the grave-yard, and spent some time 
in reinvesting with the forms of life the pious deeds and pre- 
cious memories of the past. He paid the mournful tribute of his 
tears over the grave of departed worth, and rekindled the fire of 
love in his own breast, in the blissful anticipation of a renewal of 
the pious association at God's right hand, high in the realms of 
bliss. 

The 1st of January, 1799, Mr. Lee was in Charleston, South 
Carolina, prepared ifor the Conference then about to open. We 
have in the following extract a brief record of his pious feelings, 
and of his earnest desire to drink yet more deeply of the water of 
life flowing out from the throne of God. " 1 have now entered 
upon a new year. O, my soul ! enter thou into greater depths of 
the joy of the Lord. I felt fresh desires to spend the year, if 
spared, more to the glory of God than I have done in former 
years." Such desires to advance in holiness, when sustained and 
seconded by earnest efforts to make each year and day an improve- 
ment upon the past, constitute the true philosophy of growing in 
grace. Mr. Lee had reached Charleston on his return route from 
Georgia, having parted with his companions somewhere in North 
Carolina, and pushed on into Georgia to attend appointments pre- 
viously made for the Bishop. On the 29th of December, Bishop 
Asbury writes : " We came into Camden. Brother Lee had gone 
along on Brother Blanton's district." .... " If I attempt my 
appointments that Brother Lee has gone upon, I must ride one 
hundred and fifty miles next week to Washington in Georgia." 
These appointments were all attended by Mr. Lee, and he arrived 
in Charleston on the last day of the year. The next morning Con- 
ference commenced. " We had thirty-three Preachers present 
belonging to the Travelling Connexion, including those just 
received to travel the ensuing year." Conference sat four days, 
and the Bishop says, " We had great harmony and good humour." 
There had been some measure of success granted to the ministry 
of these servants of Christ during the year. God was with them 
in their work of love ; and no wonder they were glad and " of one 
mind and heart," in their Conference sessions, and " parted in 
much love." In concluding his notice of the session, Mr. Lee thus 



360 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



breathes out the fullness of his own feelings : " O, that we may 
ever love and serve the Lord, and continue united in love all our 
days !" 

On the 30th of January, Mr. Lee, in company with Bishop 
Asbury, took up the line of their Northern Visitation. He had 
been in Charleston thirty days. But they were not days of 
idleness or ease. He had preached " seventeen times, besides 
attending many other meetings in public and private." Nor had 
he been left without comfort in his arduous work. He says : " I 
often had such faith in the promises of God, and such a sense of 
his presence, that I could not doubt but the Lord would revive his 
work amongst the people ; I frequently spoke of my feelings con- 
cerning this matter. Mr. Asbury seemed to think differently, and 
frequently expressed his fears that the people were growing worse 
and worse. Well, let the matter turn out as it may, I know that 
God was amongst the people, and that my expectation of a revival 
of religion afforded comfort to my soul." So true is it, that we 
find personal comfort both in the desire and effort to comfort 
others. 

The path of the travellers led them through a neighbourhood in 
which there had been, very recently, a remarkable revival of re- 
ligion. It was in Brunswick county, North Carolina ; and com- 
menced in the family of a Mr. Belvieu, from whom Mr. Lee ob- 
tained the following account of its commencement. A Methodist 
gentleman spent the night of Christmas-eve, at the house of Mr. 
B., and before retiring, requested permission to pray with the family. 
" The next night, Mr. Belvieu said to a young man of his house- 
hold, ' What shall we do about prayer to-night V The young man 
said he did not know, but he ' would read, and sing a hymn, if the 
other would pray.' Mr. B. said he could not pray. However, 
after supper the young man having been awhile alone in a room, 
came out and said, * I feel a desire to pray in the family, and I 
wish you would call the black people together.' This request sur- 
prised Mr. B. very much, and he did not know whether the young 
man was in earnest or not. However, he went to the door to call 
the servants, but before he could do so, one of the women in the 
house began to pray with great earnestness ; he ran back into the 
house, and soon they were all together in a flood of tears. All 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



361 



the servants now crowded into the house, and the young man began 
to pray ; and they continued to pray until Mrs. Belvieu was con- 
verted, and then the young man was converted, and several others 
were deeply distressed on account of their sins. They continued 
praying and rejoicing till late in the night. This was the singular 
commencement of a gracious and extensive revival of religion, in 
which many souls were born into the Kingdom of God. Mr. Lee 
attended a religious meeting in the immediate vicinity of this place, 
a few days after leaving Charleston, and he records the liveliness 
and zeal of the new-born " babes in Christ." God " can work by- 
many, or by few, or by them that have no might." The origin, 
character, and results of this revival furnish a beautiful illustration 
of the infinite resources of sovereign grace, and of the perfect ease 
with which " the weak things of the world may be made to con- 
found the things which are mighty." 

The next point of interest was the Virginia Conference. But 
they never travelled in straight lines. " The furthest way round, 
was the nearest way home," or to the point they desired to reach. 
In this journey their appointments led through Wilmington, New- 
bern, and along the seaboard counties of North Carolina, and 
Virginia, to Norfolk, and thence to the seat of the Conference in 
Sussex county. A portion of this trip embraced the field to which 
Mr. Lee had gone in 1783, on a tour of exploration, \\ itb the Rev. 
E. Dromgoole. The fields then were already white to the harvest; 
but there were few or none to thrust in the sickle. But now there 
were many labourers, and much fruit had been gathered unto eter- 
nal life. He rejoiced that so much had been accomplished. Had 
he not first scattered the seed of the Kingdom in those waste piaces, 
and might he not rejoice at " the wonders the Lord had wrought 
since" that humble seed-time ? His joy could no man take from 
him ; it was well founded, and it was full. He reached Jones 5 
Chapel, on the 9th of April, in time for the opening of Conference. 
Upwards of fifty Preachers had assembled ; and they conducted 
their business in excellent temper, and with great despatch. Nine 
were received on trial, and seven were admitted into full connexion. 
But thirteen located, and one had " ceased at once to work and 
live." This was a heavy drawback upon the Conference. There 
had also been a loss in the membership within the state of 336 



362 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



whites, and 120 coloured. These were all discouraging, but they 
were not allowed to damp the zeal of their ministry, or to turn 
them aside from the path of duty as labourers in the vineyard of 
Christ. Indeed, judging from the remarkable success that crowned 
the labours of the ensuing year, we may conclude it stirred them 
up to a renewal of their efforts, and to a more intense and burning 
energy to make the gospel committed to them in deed and w T ord 
u the power of God unto salvation." Bishop Asbury was too 
unwell to preside in the Conference ; and that duty devolved upon 
his travelling companion. The Conference also advised the Bishop 
to desist from preaching, at least, until the Baltimore Conference, — 
a piece of advice he " was willing to obey," especially as he felt 
" utterly unable" to preach. This, therefore, devolved nearly all 
the appointments of the journey upon Mr. Lee-— he was able to 
bear it. 

This Conference was held within an easy ride of the homestead 
of Mr. Lee. The day after its adjournment the following entry 
occurs in the Bishop's Journal : " Friday, 12th. We rode to Father 
Nathaniel Lee's." The night was spent here in cheerful inter- 
course and pious exercises. Such a visit from the venerable Su- 
perintendent, and the beloved son, created a jubilee of joy to the 
whole household ; and those familiar with Virginia hospitality of 
the times may readily imagine the bustling activity that sought to 
provide for the comfort and rest of the guests. 

The route to the Baltimore Conference led through the lower 
counties of Virginia, along the Potomac to Alexandria, and thence 
to Baltimore. The Conference was opened on Wednesday, t he 1s t 
of May, and continued four days. We can learn very little of this 
Conference, beside the bare record of sitting " about three hours in 
the forenoon, and about three hours in the afternoon," and the 
gratifying assurance — since it reflects the sincere and ardent piety 
of the ministers — "We had a good peaceable time amongst the 
Preachers. They were affectionate, but had no great stir of reli- 
gion, or any very lively meetings." Maryland, if comprehended 
in this Conference, like Virginia, had suffered a loss of 299 whites 
from the communion of the Church, but had gained 129 coloured 
members — a total loss of 170 from the pale of the Church. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 363 

There were great men in those days, as the following paragraph 
from Mr. Lee's Journal will clearly show : 

" After we had finished our business in Conference, four of the 
largest Preachers amongst us went to a friend's store, and were 
weighed. My weight was 259 lbs.; Seely Bunn's, 252; Thomas 
Lucas', 245, and Thomas F. Sargeant weighed 220 ; in all 976 lbs. 
A wonderful weight for four Methodist Preachers, and all of us 
travel on horseback." These were certainly very large men, but 
we can see no reason why Methodist Preachers may not be very 
large as well as other men ! 

The Conference over, these indefatigable men were again in the 
saddle, pressing on in the path of their labours. Their route was 
through Delaware, and some of the ground had been occupied by 
Mr. Lee in the earlier years of his ministry. He had parted with 
his companion at Baltimore ; but they met again at Easton, and in 
preaching the word had a comfortable time together. Mr. Lee 
preached on Jude 3. He says : " I had a blessed time among the 
people, and my soul was much quickened ; there was a good move 
in the congregation. Mr. Asbury and C. Spry exhorted, with 
power. Glory be to God for that precious meeting !" 

At Milford he preached on Eccl. xii. 13. And " had a good de- 
gree of liberty and power in preaching. It was a solemn time and 
a melting season with many of them. Surely God was there!" 
Here he had the pleasure of seeing many of his old and attached 
friends, and one who had miserably " fallen from grace." Mr. Lee 
did not suffer the occasion to pass without administering a solemn 
personal warning to the poor backslider to " turn from his iniquity 
and live." They both wept ; the one at witnessing a shipwreck in 
which faith and hope were stranded upon the coast of Sin : the 
other in shame and sorrow for having paused in the race of life ana 
turned aside from the way of salvation. What a mournful sight 
a soul wrecked and ruined ! And yet what multitudes thus deiry 
the Lord that bought them, and put him to an open shame. 

" Thursday, June 6th. Our Yearly Conference began in Philadel- 
phia. We had a large number of Preachers together. At night, I 
preached on Matt. iii. 2 : Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at 
hand. I had great freedom in speaking, and was led out far 
beyond my expectation, in explaining the text ; and the word took 



364 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



hold of many hearts. Some roared aloud, and some shouted : 
glory be to God ! it was a good time to my poor soul. I felt as if 
I could have met my Lord with pleasure, and have gone from the 
pulpit to glory." And in the Conference, as in the Church, there 
was " the felt presence" of God to cheer and sustain the hearts of 
His servants. " The hearts of the brethren were much united." A 
present, full salvation, by faith in Christ, was the constant theme 
of their ministry ; and no marvel that they felt its power, as a per- 
vading influence, not only in the pulpit, but in their solitary rides, 
in their Conferences, and their closets. Their faith kept God at 
their side all the day long, and held their hearts in constant com- 
munion with Him. God's presence was their paradise ; His smile, 
the sun of their souls. 

This was the longest Yearly Conference we recollect to have 
been held in America. It commenced on the 6th, and ended on 
the 12th of June. The Conference was a large one; but what 
business detained them so much beyond the then ordinary length 
of a session, we have no records to guide us in deciding. There 
had been some prosperity in the Church during the year. The 
word had been effectual, sinners had been made alive in Christ ; 
and the consolations of God abounded in the hearts of many. 
Bishop Asbury says " the business was very important. Ezekiel 
Cooper was confirmed in his appointment by me as our Agent in 
the Book Concern." 

Just one week after the close of the Philadelphia Conference, that 
for " New York and all the New England States" was commenced. 
A rapid ride, preaching as they went, brought them to the city of 
New York — the seat of the Conference. The annexed brief notices 
of the session are chiefly interesting as they furnish evidence of the 
pious feelings of their author. Mr. Lee says, " Our Conference 
began at nine o'clock. We had several candidates brought forward 
to travel, and they were mostly received. We had a large number 
of Preachers present, and they brought pleasing accounts, from 
their respective circuits, of a gracious work of God amongst the 
people. ... We examined the characters of the Preachers, and 
I was thankful to find that they had generally adorned the gospel 
in their lives and conversation. . . . We had a good Conference, 
and have had an increase of members in Society, especially in the 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



305 



New England States. The Lord has been very gracious to the 
Preachers in the bounds of this Conference." There was a sad 
pecuniary deficiency among the Preachers. Nearly one thousand 
dollars was wanting to complete the meagre allowance of the Dis- 
cipline. This was no doubt the occasion of considerable distress, 
if not of suffering, among these self-sacrificing men. The Confer- 
ence resolved to resort to a public collection to relieve this neces- 
sity ; and accordingly " had a charitable day at all the houses" of 
worship to relieve the present distress. About three hundred dol- 
lars were raised by this effort — a very creditable amount for the 
times. 

Here ended the Conferences for the year. In some respects it 
had been a prosperous year for the Church. The Societies were 
united, and walked in the fear of the Lord, and were multiplied. 
Mr. Lee closes his current history of the Conferences of 1799, with 
these reflections : "Our borders were greatly enlarged this year, 
and the way was opening for us to spread farther, and to send forth 
more labourers into the vineyard of the Lord. We had an addition 
to the Society this year of 1182 members. Great peace and har- 
mony prevailed throughout the Connection, both among Preachers 
and people, and the prospect of a great revival of religion was more 
pleasing than it had been at any time for some years ; and in some 
places there was a good stir of religion, and many souls were 
brought into the liberty of the children of God."* Such were the 
prospects with which Methodism closed its Ecclesiastical year. A 
few incidents from the personal history of Mr. Lee, and we shall 
enter upon the history of the period so full of bright visions and 
joyful anticipations. 

A compound specimen — one of disobedience, and one of cheerful 
obedience to the command to " be not forgetful to entertain strangers," 
is mentioned as occurring within a few days after the adjournment 
of the Conference in New York. After preaching on the 28th, and 
riding exposed to a pitiless tempest, Mr. Lee rode up to the house 
of a Methodist, and sought permission to stay all night. The 
good woman made many excuses. He " told her Mr. Asbnry was 
sick ; it was then dusk and raining ; but she said it would be best 



* Hist. Methodists, p. 258. 



366 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



for him to lodge at the next house." Rejected here, they rode on, 
and applying at the next house, were told by the man, " they were 
not prepared to entertain strangers." This was cold comfort. 
Refused admittance to the houses, and not content to sit on their 
horses in the rain through the long night, they very naturally rode 
on. There was one other point before them. On they toiled 
through the dark and wet, building bonfires of faith and hope with 
which to lighten their way ; and contending earnestly with every 
disposition to murmur against their allotment, or to reproach, even 
mentally, much less with bitter words, those who had sent them, sick 
and weary, from their doors. Midnight was striding to meet them, 
when they reached the domicil of " old Governor Courtland." But 
all was still, every light extinguished. It was their last hope for 
shelter ; and in the confidence of despair they sent the hollow 
reverberations of their knockings through every corner of the 
building. It stirred the slumberers, and " they arose and gladly 
received" those who sought shelter and rest. And so cheerfully 
was it done, that the guests might have felt themselves "entertained 
of angels." They were not sorry for the preceding adventures of 
the evening. 

They had reached the limit of their northern tour ; and re- 
turning south through Pennsylvania, spent a night with Martin 
Boehm, whose singular history, briefly recorded by Mr. Lee, is 
worthy of attention for the facts it contains and the lessons it 
teaches. Mr. Boehm was formerly a Mennonist, and was cho- 
sen by them to preach before he was converted or had any inten- 
tion of preaching. The Mennonists adopt the following mode 
of choosing a preacher : " When they want a minister they assem- 
ble together, and choose one by ballot ; and then they take two, 
three, or more of those who have the largest number of votes, and 
take as many tickets and put them in a book. On one of these 
tickets is written ' This is to be our Minister!' Each of those pre- 
viously set apart draws out a ticket, and he that draws the one 
thus written is to be their minister." Mr. Boehm was thus chosen. 
And on receiving the office, inquired " what he was to preach ?" 
They told him to preach " Repentance and Faith." He began to 
preach these great doctrines of the gospel, and they were mighty 
in his own heart, pulling down the strongholds of sin and unbelief, 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



367 



and building up his soul in holiness and love. Having preached 
repentance and faith as a duty, and found them effectual in his own 
conversion, he now preached them with delight, and as a means of 
bringing others to the same joyful assurance of acceptance through 
Christ. But he preached them too frequently and with too great a 
relish ; pressing them as of absolute necessity to salvation, and 
importuning them to repent and believe. This was carrying the 
matter rather further than they had contracted for, and they there- 
fore compelled him to desist, and subsequently ejected him from 
being a teacher among them. He then entered into fellowship 
with the Methodists, and his children and grandchildren were 
united with him in walking by the same rules and seeking the 
same heavenly things. Mr. Lee completes his notice, by saying: 
" The old man wears his beard at its full growth. He preaches 
altogether in the German language; after I prayed in the family at 
night, he prayed in German.'' The day after this conversation 
we have this entry in his Journal : 

"Wednesday, July 31. At friend Boehm's Meeting-House I 
preached on Isaiah xxx. 21. I had a very precious season in 
preaching, and the power of the Lord was with us, and there were 
many tears shed by the hearers. Thank God for another happy 
meeting." Bishop Asbury also preached, on Hebrews vi. 12. 
" He gave us a good discourse." Another pious engagement occu- 
pied the mind of Mr. Lee during this day. Two itinerant ministers 
had found a last resting-place in this country church-yard. One 
of them, William Jessop, was a beloved friend, and at eventide he 
went to the grave to weep there. A deep solemnity filled his heart, 
while he thought on the past, and anticipated the period when "the 
dead in Christ" shall awake from the long sleep of the grave, and, 
clothed in beauty immortal, stand erect in the judgment of the last 
day. He felt the full comfort of knowing his friend died in the 
victory of faith. And with joy he records the last words of his 
spiritual triumph — the victor-shout with which he ascended to his 
home in heaven : " My work is done. Glory ! glory ! glory !" 
" Oh, Lord ! let me die the death of the righteous," was the prayer 
with which the humbled and sorrowing wayfarer turned away to 
his work, from the hallowed spot where the precious dust of a 



368 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



faithful warrior was reposing after the toil and strife of his war- 
fare. 

Pursuing their route through Pennsylvania and Maryland into 
Virginia, we find them in Winchester on the 17th of August. Here 
we may see Mr. Lee in a new element, still striving to do good. 
He was consecrated to this very object. Availing himself of some 
leisure while in this place, he determined, as was his custom, to 
visit the common prison, for the purpose of speaking to them that 
were bound, on the state of their souls. On reaching the jail, how 
was he surprised to find a man whom he had visited in Georgia, 
during the last year, on the very day he was to have been hung, 
but who had been reprieved ; and, as he informed Mr. Lee, had 
been subsequently pardoned. At that time, he professed to have 
been pardoned of God, and to have made all his arrangements for 
an abundant entrance in the everlasting kingdom of Jesus Christ ; 
and he gave evidence, by all external manifestations, of being truly 
sorry for his sins, and anxious to lead a new life. But here he was 
in jail again, for crimes against man. Plow sinful he was before his 
Maker, no man knoweth. The sight of the man amazed Mr. Lee, 
and gave his confidence in death-anticipating professions of reli- 
gion a most severe, and almost fatal shock. He was afraid of the 
seeming uncharitableness of concluding all such to be self-deceivers, 
but he could find good ground for hope in a very few ; and he cut 
his confidence in the culprit before him short off with the remark, 
" his life is no better for all his pretended religion." Still it was 
possible to save them. Some may have been saved ; and hope 
shed its lustre upon his soul, as he resolved, " as he had opportu- 
nity, to do good to all men," whether bond or free — tenants of a 
palace or a prison. One thing he would gain, if no more — the 
approval of Him who died for sinners ; and that was enough to 
compensate him for all he might endure in doing good. In a prison, 
Christ might be " ministered unto ;" and the probability of tha^ 
would stir every power of his soul. 

This incident occurred on the 17th of August ; and the remain- 
der of the year was spent in a tour through Virginia, North and 
South Carolina, and Georgia ; from whence he returned in time for 
the Conference in Charleston, on the 1st of January, 1800. In 
this journey, " Jesse Lee," in the plain and confiding language of 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 369 

Bishop Asbury, did the most of the preaching. The Bishop was 
so deeply afflicted, that he thought " of nothing less than the resig- 
nation of his office of Superintendent at the General Conference." 
In one place, he writes, " I would not live always : weary world ! 
when will it end V And yet there was a vein of pious cheerful- 
ness transfused into the brief notes of his Journal, that sometimes 
bordered on merriment. Of his accommodations in one family, he 
says : " Here we have kitchen, house, and chamber, all in one, and 
no closet but the woods" To relieve a sick Preacher, he gave up 
his carriage, and mounted the Preacher's horse. He must have 
been a sorry hack, as the Bishop calls him a " stiff-jointed horse, 
that he would only ride to save souls, or a brother's health." Again, 
he encountered a train of " men and wagons heavily loaded with 
rum." During this southern tour, Mr. Lee detached himself from 
the party, and " formed a circuit for one Preacher along the borders 
of Oconee River." As an illustration of the general interest excited 
by these Episcopal visitations, we may refer to the fact stated by 
the Bishop, that from three to six thousand souls congregated 
weekly at their appointments for preaching ; and thus thousands 
were brought to hear the gospel, that otherwise would have been 
prevented from hearing words whereby they might be saved. 

Wednesday, January 1, 1800. The Conference for the extreme 
southern portion of the Church, was held in Charleston. " Twen- 
ty-three ministers were present. None had died during the year, 
none located, and seven were received into the ministry," as itine- 
rants. The reports from the different circuits, including those in 
Georgia, show an encouraging state of religious prosperity. The 
signs of the preceding year had settled down into present and posi- 
tive blessings. The good hand of God had been with them, grace 
had reigned in their hearts, and success had crowned their earnest 
efforts to make the name of Christ a praise and a blessing in the 
earth. In this frame of mind they finished their business, arid 
re-entered the fields, everywhere " white unto harvest." On the 
day after their adjournment, Sunday, the ordination services were 
held. "At the new Church," says the Bishop, "before the ordi- 
nation of Deacons, Jesse Lee discoursed on The harvest truly is 
great ; but the labourers are feiv : Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of 
tlie harvest, that he will send forth labourers into the harvest" We 
24 



370 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



also find the following entry in the Bishop's Journal, under date of 
Monday, the 6th of January : " I desired Jesse Lee, as my assist- 
ant, to take my horse and his own, and visit, between this and the 
7th of February, Coosawhatchie, Savannah, and St. Mary's (a 
ride of about four hundred miles), and to take John Garven to his 
station. The time hath been when this journey would have been 
my delight, but now I must lounge in Charleston." In those days, 
when our ministry lived in the saddle, it required but short notice 
to prepare for a long journey ; and few could be ready and off in 
shorter time than Mr. Lee. Accordingly, he entered upon the 
work prescribed by the Bishop, on the next morning. In this visi- 
tation, he encountered many difficulties and great dangers. The 
weather was unusually severe. On the third day, he found snow 
two and a half feet deep. Such a storm, as was not within the 
recollection of the oldest inhabitant. He found a " family, fright- 
ened half out of their wits ;" and he writes : " I do not remember 
that I ever saw more snow fall in one day and night, in New 
England, than fell in South Carolina and Georgia," on this occa- 
sion. Great damage was done to the forest and fruit-trees; and, 
for the time, travelling was very dangerous, as well as difficult. 
But he had no time to tarry; and he pushed on, and reached 
Savannah in time to spend the Sabbath, and to preach his first 
sermon to the inhabitants. The snow was scarcely diminished ; 
but he pressed on, lost his way among the ponds of water covering 
the face of the country, and wandered all day, " not knowing 
whither he went." " At night, he was glad to find shelter in a 
log-cabin, without any doors, and with thirty or forty hogs sleeping 
under it." Shelter he might have had, under these circumstances; 
but comfort must have been on a visit to other and better dwellings. 
On the 18th, he reached St. Mary's — the termination of his mis- 
sion. Here he rested, because " it was the Sabbath-day," and 
preached in the court-house to a large congregation of attentive 
hearers. From hence he hurried on, through mud, water, and 
swamps, making long rides, and preaching every day. His obser- 
vations of the country, as furnishing a contrast with its present 
condition, might be interesting; but we omit them. What he says, 
however, of its moral condition, falls into our design, and may 
prove of some importance in illustrating the progress and powej 



THE REV . JESSE LEE. 



371 



of the gospel. He very dryly remarks, on this subject, " The 
country is very good for cattle, but at present it is a poor place for 
piety or morality ; few people making any profession of religion, 
and many who are addicted to very bad habits, find a dwelling in 
these parts. Drunkenness is very common. Persons who violate 
the laws of their country, find it convenient to flee from justice, 
either to the Indians on the west, or the Spaniards on the south, 
and thus get beyond the laws of the United States. I heard of 
some people," he writes, " in the counties of Glenn and Camden, 
who were grown to man's estate, and some that had families, who 
never heard a sermon until last summer, when Brother George 
Clark first came among them," preaching repentance by Jesus 
Christ. " Surely these people will receive the gospel, and press 
into the Kingdom of God." 

We said his journey was attended with great danger. The 
following incident will corroborate it. He was spending a day 
with the family of a Christian brother ; and all had retired to rest, 
when the house was beset by a drunken man, beating the side of 
it with a club, demanding to see the preachers, and swearing with 
horrid oaths he would " be the death of them." Mr. Lee, " fearful 
he might do mischief, rose and fastened the door of his room," 
and sat down to wait the issue. After awhile he left the place, 
and disturbed them no more. TJie Lord preserveth them that 
love him. 

On his return trip, Mr. Lee spent several days in Savannah, 
and improved the opportunity to visit Whitefield's Orphan-House. 
The reader familiar with the early religious history of the 
Wesleys and Whitefield, will not need to be reminded of the 
splendid conception of Whitefield to build an Orphan-House in the 
wilderness of Georgia, and of the enthusiasm with which he 
planned, and preached in Europe and America for the completion 
of a scheme that reflects the benevolence of his heart in brighter 
and stronger colours than it does the sagacity of his head. But 
he succeeded in the erection of the house ; its efficiency in miti- 
gating the miseries of orphanage, however, has very little in its 
history to relieve it of the imputation of a total failure. We 
believe the author lived to deplore the unwise and profitless ex- 
penditure of so much time and treasure. When Mr. Lee visited 



372 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



the place, desolation had marked it for its own : dilapidation reigned 
in its deserted halls, and lank ruin looked out of its broken 
windows. Decay strode with sedate and solemn steps around the 
mournful wreck, leaving its deep foot-prints on every object ; and 
oblivion, like a hungry vulture, flapped its gloomy wings, and 
whetted its ravenous beak against the sharp outlines of the 
crumbling mass. The following description of the place and 
building is given by Mr. Lee, and may be all that is left of what 
in a better situation and a populous country might have proved an 
ornament of the age, and a monument of the princely benevolence 
and Christian zeal of its founder. It was situated about twelve 
miles from Savannah. It had a centre building, with two wings, 
each one hundred and thirty feet long, one story high, and having 
four chimneys. It was surrounded by a brick wall, enclosing a 
spacious yard. These buildings, as if for very shame or sorrow, 
were hurrying to decay. A small family lived in one of the 
wings, some negroes occupied the other, and the centre was con- 
verted into a stable for horses. It is not surprising that the pious 
spectator of such a scene of destruction, remembering the vast 
expenditure of money, and the brilliant hopes that found a grave 
in the ruins around him, should find his heart swelling with 
sorrow ; and secret prayers ascending to God to turn the captivity 
of these stones, and give vitality to a measure full of mercy in its 
conception, however unwisely it may have been executed. We 
need enter into no speculations as to the causes of this failure; 
nor dare we attribute it to any supposed mysteries of Providence. 
The fact that Georgia was almost a wilderness, with a sparse 
population of early settlers, will furnish reasons for a failure of 
such an undertaking, as sound and philosophical as they are dis- 
criminating and deferential to the truth of the doctrine of an all- 
wise, ever-present, and controlling Providence. 

Mr. Lee arrived in Charleston on the 7th of February, the day 
appointed for his return by the Bishop. If the reader recollects 
the weight of Mr. Lee, and the fact of his taking the Bishop's 
horse with him, he will appreciate the remark of Bishop Asbury 
on the occasion of his return. He says, under date of Charleston, 
" Feb. 7th. Jesse Lee and George Dougherty came to town : the 
former hath been a route of about six hundred miles ; and my 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



373 



poor gray hath suffered for it" Four days only were given to 
rest, preaching, and pious visiting, when the Bishop and his party 
were again in the saddle with their faces to the North. For some 
weeks, however, they were separated. The Bishop and Rev. N. 
Snethen, taking the upper route through Western Carolina, thence 
through Raleigh, and into Virginia in Mecklenburg county. Mr. 
Lee took the lower route, through Wilmington, following very 
nearly in the track of the appointments of the preceding year. In 
the last-named place, he remained long enough to participate in 
the public manifestation of grief occasioned by the death of him, 
who was " first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of 
his countrymen." In March, at Myrick's Chapel in Brunswick, 
Bishop Asbury says : " Jesse Lee and N. Snethen did the preach- 
ing." But at what place they met again, we cannot determine.* 
They travelled in company thence to the Virginia Conference. 

This Conference was to have been held in Norfolk, but the pre- 
valence of the small-pox in that place made it expedient to change 
it ; and accordingly the Preachers convened at Blunt's Meeting- 
House, in Isle of Wight county, and the Conference was opened 
on the 9th of April. The meeting continued three days, " in close, 
comfortable Conference." " We had grace," continues the Bishop, 
" but no gold ; and we wanted one hundred and forty-three dollars 
of silver to pay the just demands of the Preachers to their sixty- 
four per year." Mr. Lee gives utterance to a remark, in connex- 
ion with this Conference, that is pregnant with meaning ; the 
interpretation of which will be hereafter developed. " Here a cer- 
tain person," he says, " laboured hard to keep the Preachers from 
going to the ensuing General Conference ; and endeavoured ' to 
make them promise him to go immediately to their circuits." 
From the lights before us, we may remark, this advice was given 
with a more exclusive regard to the election to the Episcopate, 

* The following extract from the Bishop's Journal at this period, will serve 
to illustrate his character for poverty and self-sacrifice, as well as benevolence : 
" One of my friends wanted to borrow or beg 50Z. of me : he might as well 
have asked me for Peru. I showed him all the money I had in the world — 
about $12, and gave him $5: strange, that neither my friends nor my enemies 
will believe that I neither have nor seek bags of money; well, they shall be- 
lieve by demonstration, what I have ever been striving to prove— that I will 
live and die a poor man." Journal, vol. ii. p. 371. 



374 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



that it was generally supposed would take place at the General 
Conference, than to any extraordinary zeal for the welfare of the 
circuits of which it was made the pretext. We may ascertain the 
propriety of this judgment when we come to the review of the pro- 
ceedings to which it refers. 

A relic that still attracts the traveller through the earliest settled 
section of Virginia, occupied the attention of Mr. Lee in his rapid 
transit to the Baltimore Conference. He crossed James River at 
Jamestown, and lingered awhile amidst the decaying memorials of 
the first residence of the white man in the new world. The homes 
of the dead only were there ; those of the breathing and active 
multitude that once thronged its marts of trade and its halls of 
pleasure, had mouldered away into the common mass of matter ; 
and the hum of business and the voice of mirth had long since 
died away like the low moanings of a retiring storm. Tombs of 
a century were there ; and the tooth of time was eating out the 
names and virtues that pride or affection hoped would live on 
through all the periods of their country's history. The haughty 
aristocrat of the Old Dominion and the humbler artisan had 
found their level here; the virtuous and vile, the proud monarchist 
and the firm republican, had all sunk to the same repose, and side 
by side awaited the period when the long sleep of the grave should 
be succeeded by a resurrection to light and life. The Church, 
where, they and their fathers had worshipped, like themselves, was 
crumbling upon its foundations and hastening back to primitive 
dust, and wild vines crept out of its fissures, and clung to its walls, 
as if anxious to- prolong its memories, or to cover with their own 
vernal glories its mournful exit to the grave of oblivion. Its stee- 
ple, whence, for long years, " the sound of the Church-going bell" 
had given forth to the winds and waves its " concord of sweet 
sounds," but whose echoes would wake no more, was still there. 
And there yet it stands — a solitary monument in a scene of deso- 
lation. And long may it stand — a memorial of the faith of our 
fathers, to remind us, and our children, that Virginia laid the foun- 
dations of her social rights and civil polity on the immutable 
principles of the Word of God, and their perpetuity and glory are 
inseparable from the faith and worship of Christianity. 

The Baltimore Conference was held at Stone Chapel, ten miles 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



375 



from the city, on the 1st of May. It lasted three days, and every- 
thing was conducted in peace and harmony, is the only record we 
can find respecting it. There was one circumstance connected 
with it, however, that occasioned some surprise in the mind of Mr. 
Lee. He did not find the " certain person," heretofore referred to, 
at all solicitous for the Preachers "to go immediately to their 
circuits." We judge, he was rather anxious for them to attend the 
General Conference. 

The third General Conference of the Church assembled in the 
city of Baltimore, on the 6th of Mas-, 1800. One hundred and 

*— ,iniii~r"**~ t imiTMnnwn 

nineteen Preachers, as members of the body, were present; and 
the session continued until the 20th of the month. Many very im- 
portant measures were introduced and consummated during the 
Conference. Among them we may mention the rules increasing 
the salaries of ministers from sixty-four dollars to eighty, and pro- 
viding for their wives and children,, as it now stands in the Disci- 
pline; and also the provision of the Superannuated, &'c; and for 
the widows and orphans of deceased Preachers : the regulation for 
the establishment of Parsonages, and the supplying of them with 
heavy furniture. The Bishops, who had previously been dependent 
upon private liberality, or the benevolence of particular Societies 
for their support, were now authorized to look to the Annual Con- 
ferences for their allowance, each Conference having to pay its 
proportion of the amount necessary to be raised. Each Annual 
Conference was also ordered to keep a regular record of its pro- 
ceedings, and to send a copy of them to the General Conference for 
examination and correction. It was also determined to alter the 
composition of succeeding General Conferences, so far as to restrict 
the right of a seat to those who had been Travelling Preachers four 
years. By another rule, the Bishops were allowed to admit 
coloured Preachers, under certain limitations and restrictions, to 
Deacon's Orders, — a rule, however, that met with so much opposi- 
tion, as never to have been much observed, and which was, by 
special enactment at the time, excluded from the Discipline, and 
never made extensively public : so that nine years after, when 
compiling his History of the Methodists, Mr. Lee supposes it was 
scarcely known, as a rule of the Church, to the Preachers.* 



* See Note at the end of the chapter. 



376 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



But the great leading question of the Conference was the election 
of a Bishop. We have already seen that Bishop Asbury " thought 
of nothing else but the resignation of his office and it is said he 
had gone to this Conference with his Valedictory Address, for the 
occasion, written out. But the first intimation of such a step was 
checked by the Conference ; and they drew up resolutions of a 
highly complimentary character to the Bishop, thanking him for 
his distinguished services, and importuning him to continue his 
labours as a Superintendent, as far as his health and strength 
might allow. They also resolved to strengthen the Episcopacy by 
the election and consecration of another Bishop. The adoption of 
this resolution gave rise to the question as to the position and 
powers of the new Bishop: whether he should be second and sub- 
ject to the direction and government of the elder incumbent,* or 
equal and joint Superintendent of the Church. Nearly two days 
were spent in the discussion of this question. It was finally de- 
termined he should be equal in rank, rights, and powers with the 
other Bishops. These preliminaries being settled, the Conference 
were ready to go into the election. Popular sentiment selected two 
men as candidates for the office, either of whom, in a proper sense 
of the term, were worthy of it. Of these, the following just and 
impartial testimony is borne by the Biographer of Mr. Lee.f 

"At that time there were two men, among many others, who 
deservedly stood high in the estimation of the members of the Ge- 
neral Conference — Mr. Whatcoat and Mr. Lee. The former came 
to this country in 1784, in company with Dr. Coke and Mr. Vasey. 
Mr. Whatcoat commenced his ministerial labours in Great Britain, 
about the year 1769 ; and was therefore older than Mr. Lee, both 
in years and in the ministry. His experience and deep piety, and 
tried integrity, entitled him to great respect, but his strength of bod)'' 
had evidently much declined through labour. 

" Mr. Lee was known amongst the Preachers as a persevering 
and indefatigable man, of acknowledged integrity, and of uniform 
piety ; who possessed zeal which was not easily damped, and his 

* Incumbent. We use the singular form of expression, as no one seemed to 
expect much future assistance from Dr. Coke ; and the Conference had con. 
gented to his return to Europe. 

t Thrift's Mem. of Jesse Lee, p. 267. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 377 

experience could not be called in question. He had followed the 
fortunes of the Methodist Church almost from its first rise in Ame- 
rica, and he knew how business should be transacted ; he was plain 
and undisguised in his manners, and was greatly gifted as a speaker. 
To these two men the attention of the Conference was directed." 
There was very little, if any at all, of partisan feeling, and yet the 
friends of each were so nearly balanced as to deprive victory of 
triumph, and defeat of mortification. With these views and dispo- 
sitions the Conference proceeded to the election. On the first bal- * 
loting the votes were scattering ; there was no choice. On the 
second, " the tellers reported gjie between Richard Whatcoat and 
Jesse Lee. They proceeded to a third ballot, when Richard What- J 
coat was declared to be duly elected by a majority of four votes."! 
Such is Mr. Lee's own simple statement of the course and result of 
the election. 

To suppose Mr. Lee was not disappointed in this result, would 
be to suppose him insensible, or to claim for him a measure of per- 
fection neither common to, nor attainable by, human nature. He 
did feel, and felt keenly, not so much, however, the loss of the 
office, or the preference of another as better qualified for it than 
himself, but because of the means to which some one resorted for 
the purpose of compassing his defeat. And as these means were 
disreputable in themselves, and injurious to his fair and honourable 
fame in the Church, he did well to be displeased with the offender, 
and with honest indignation to expose the offence. 

The following extract from his Journal will fully explain his 
views and feelings on this subject : 

"Tuesday, 13th of May. There was some uneasiness in the 
minds of some of the Preachers respecting a report which had been 
circulated by some person or persons, in order to prevent my elec- 
tion to the Bishop's office. The report was this : * That Mr. As- 
bury said that Brother Lee had imposed himself on him and on the 
Connection for eighteen months past, and he would have got rid of 
him long ago if he could.' They came to me about it, and I told 
them I did not believe Mr. Asbury said it ; but if he had reported it, 
I could prove to the reverse ; so I went to Mr. Asbury about it, 
who denied it, and said he wished me to consent to travel at large 
in future, and to attend the Conferences, and assist in the business 



378 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



thereof, fr\r he and Brother Whatcoat never could do it ; and added 
that if I would not consent to go, he thought he should be forced to 
resign at the close of the Conference. I told him I despised the 
idea of doing anything out of resentment, and that I had but two 
things in view, respecting my manner of travelling : one was the 
peace and happiness of my own mind ; and the other was, the good 
of the Church, and Methodism at large ; and that I had but little 
expectation of complying with his request, though I was not fully 
determined against it. I then told him, if he found freedom, I wished 
he would speak in Conference about the report above mentioned. 
So we went into Conference, and he spoke to the subject, and de- 
nied the charge, and said he was thankful for my past services, 
and did wish for them in the Conferences in future. We traced 

the report until we fixed it on T ■ L , and he did not clear 

himself." 

After the earnest .desire of Bishop Asbury, as expressed in his 
letter to Mr. Lee, at the Wilbraham Conference in 1797, to have 
him as his associate in the Episcopal office, and after all that had 
since occurred to authorize the expectation of being chosen to fill 
it, it was sufficiently painful to be defeated, without the additional 
humiliation of owing his defeat to an unkind and calumniating 
report, such as the one introduced in the extract above, and so 
adapted, under the circumstances of the case, from the peculiar 
veneration for Mr. Asbury, and the fact that the new Bishop was 
to be his colleague and assistant, to mislead and bewilder. Birds 
always select the ripest fruit, and so do slanderers. " These 
insinuations, thrown out at a time of general excitement, no doubt 
had a tendency to influence the minds of some against Mr. Lee, 
and in all probability was the cause of his not being elected." 
While, from all the facts of the case, it is evident Mr. Lee had 
many warm and strong friends, it would be improper to suppose 
all who voted against him were, in any sense of the word, his 
enemies ; for, even in preferring the excellent man who was elected 
to the office, it. is presumable they still cherished the highest 
confidence in his integrity, and esteemed him very highly in love 
for his works' sake. We may regret the non-election of our 
venerated relative, but we can cherish no unkindness of feeling for 
the memory of such of that body as, influenced by a discriminating 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



379 



and honest judgment, had the manliness to vote in accordance 
with its decisions. We therefore dismiss the subject, with the 
remark that, with information and authority to say more, even to 
" bring to light hidden things," we forbear for the sake of the dead : 
and yet, simple justice to the truth of history, and to the memory 
of one of the Church's noblest and most devoted sons, would not 
be satisfied with less. 

It is not surprising, still it is a source of considerable gratifica- 
tion, to find that " none of these things moved" Mr. Lee from his 
steadfast faith in Christ, and his joyful hope of salvation through 
Him. Perhaps he found reason for humiliation before God, and 
was brought to a more solemn self-consecration to the service and 
glory of Christ. Certain it is, he preached as if his heart, as well 
as his lips, had been " touched with a live coal from the altar" of 
the upper temple. There was a most blessed work of grace in the 
city during the Conference, and many were translated into the 
Kingdom of Christ. While multitudes were thronging the Churches, 
Mr. Lee remembered the masses that never went to Church ; and 
he determined to go once more, as of old, to " the market-places," 
and call sinners to repentance. Accordingly, on Sunday, the 18th 
of May, the day on which Mr. Whatcoat was ordained, at five 
o'clock, in the Market-House, on Howard's Hill, he preached a 
most effectual sermon from John xvii. 3. To use his own lan- 
guage, as recording the fact in his Journal : " The power of the 
Lord came down among us while I was preaching, and the people 
wept and roared aloud, and prayed most earnestly. Joseph Totten 
exhorted with life. Afterwards several prayed with those that 
were under conviction. I was subsequently informed that seven 
souls were awakened by the sermon and brought to God. Thank 
the Lord for a few more seals to my ministry under the Market- 
House." 

Two days after this the Conference adjourned. At a later period 
of his life, some friend referring to the subject of his non-election, 
pleasantly suggested that he was probably thought to be too full of 
wit, and too fond of it, for the Episcopacy. His reply was : " It 
would be unnatural to assume the gravity of the office previous to 
receiving it : put me in it, and I will sustain its dignity." This 
anecdote, and the following reflection respecting the General Con. 



S30 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



ference of 1800, will serve to close the chapter, and furnish us 
with very edifying proof that a momentary regret left no acid in 
his feelings and no cloud upon his heart. "I believe," he writes, 
" we never had so good a General Conference before ; we had the 
greatest speaking, and the greatest union of affections that we ever 
had on a like occasion." 



NOTE. 

The facts introduced in the body of this chapter respecting the General Con- 
ference of 1800, have been derived from a personal examination of the Journal 
of the Session. The following additional items from the same source, may 
possess some interest to the student of Methodist history. 

William Ormond moved " that the Yearly Conferences be authorized to 
nominate and elect their own Presiding Elders." 

S. Bostwick moved " that no Preacher shall receive any quarterage from any 
Steward, until he first give an accurate account of all the presents he has re- 
ceived the quarter preceding." 

S. Harris offered as a substitute for this, "that the rule respecting presents 
be struck out of the form of Discipline." A majority of two-thirds voted for 
the substitute, " consequently the rule is to be left out of the Discipline." 

J. Tolleson moved "that instead of a General Conference, we substitute a 
delegated one." " Lost by a great majority." ' ■ 

J. Lee moved "that no Preacher shall be eligible to a seat in the General 
Conference until he has travelled four years." " Agreed." 

William M'Kendree moved " that this General Conference direct the Yearly 
Conferences to appoint a committee to draw up proper addresses to the State 
Legislatures from year to year, for a gradual abolition of slavery." " Agreed." 

J. Lee moved " that the rules prepared for our seminaries of learning shall 
not be printed any more in our form of Discipline." " Carried by two-thirds." 

William Ormond's " motion to make Local Deacons eligible to the Elder's 
office was negatived ; Ayes 36, Nays 47." 

May 19. — Lee, Cooper, and Bruce were appointed a committee to prepare a 
section for the Book of Discipline. " Moved that the African brethren in New 
York be desired to apply for a charter similar to that of our African Society in 
Philadelphia ; but if that cannot be obtained, that they apply for such a charter 
as is granted to the white brethren in New York, under the title of African 
Methodist Episcopal Church : but if the above-mentioned title be not admissi- 
ble, it shall be left to the New York Conference to determine the title, and all 
other particulars respecting the business." 

May 20. — " Resolved, That Brethren Roberts and Snethen be requested to 
draw up an answer to James O 'Kelly's book, and that Brother Morell assist 
them with his judgment in the process of the work." " Agreed." 

" Moved, that when any of our Travelling Preachers become the owner of a 
slave or slaves, by any means, they shall forfeit their ministerial character in 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, unless they execute, if it be practicable, a 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



381 



legal (deed) of emancipation of such slave or slaves, agreeably to the laws of 
the state wherein they live." " Agreed." 

" In case of the death, dismission, or resignation of the Superintendent in the 
recess of the General Conference, the Philadelphia Conference shall have power 
to appoint another Superintendent4irjJ^.4h,e next_ General Conference." 

This was the last act of the body — 'a most singular one — conferring the most 
extraordinary rights and powers on one Conference, to the exclusion of all the 
other members of the ecclesiastical confederacy. 



382 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



CHAPTER X. 

FROM THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1800, TO THE GEN- 
ERAL CONFERENCE OF 1804. 

General Conference Revival — Great Revival at Duck Creek — Mr. Lee in Phila- 
delphia — Letter of the Bishops — Attends Conference at Lynn — Separates 
from Bishop Asbury — Visits the East — Winter in New York — Returns to 
Virginia — Incidents— Fredericksburg — Whitefield's Anathema — Death of 
Rev. D. Jarratt — Review of his Course towards Methodism — Affair between 
him and Dr. Coke — Important Letter — Mr. Lee appointed Presiding Elder — 
Size of his District — Devotion to his Work — Anecdotes — Rev. John Lee — 
His happy Death — Virginia Conference of 1802 — Reappointed Elder — Revi- 
vals — Powerful Meeting — Contrast — Sign of the Cross — Enlargement of the 
Church — First Camp-Meetings in Virginia — Conference of 1804 — Appointed 
to a Circuit — General Conference — Its Composition — Revision of Discipline 
— Stationing Law — Attempted Change of the Eighth Article — Book Con- 
cern removed to New York — Conclusion. 

The General Conference, whose proceedings have just passed 
under review, presents one characteristic that distinguishes it from 
all that preceded it. It was the blessed means of hrinpririfl man y 
souls to " the knowledge .-of salvation by the remission of sins." 
The meeting in the Market-House, already described, was not a 
peculiarity of the place or the Preacher. Similar meetings were 
common, during the Conference, and were held in different parts 
of the city. And, as a general result, it is reported by Bishop 
Asbury that "more than one hundred souls professed conversion," 
during the session. This was as remarkable as it was gratifying. 
But surprise at such an exhibition of " the power of God unto sal- 
vation," on an occasion of a great ministerial gathering, is in itself 
as remarkable as the occurrence of a revival of religion. God's 
presence with His servants, and His blessing upon their word, are 
things very naturally to be expected ; and, in this case, " the 
expectation was not cut off." Revivals of religion ought to be the 
rule; their non-occurrence the exception, in all such cases. But 
revivals of religion had been mercifully vouchsafed to many sec- 
tions of the Church from which these ministers had come up to 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



333 



the Conference, and they had brought the fire of holy love and 
zeal with them ; and, under faithful and affectionate preaching, it 
had burned to the conversion of precious souls. And we shall 
rind very gratifying evidences of success in this department of 
ministerial duty, in the winding up of the history and events of 
the year. 

On the 2d of June, two weeks after the adjournment of the Gen- 
eral Conference, the Conference for the Philadelphia district was 
held at Duck Creek, in the state of Delaware. About sixty min- 
isters were present. Mr. Lee was chosen Secretary of the Con- 
ference. We can learn nothing beyond the mere Minutes of the 
business done. But one fact will, perhaps, characterize it as one 
of the most fruitful, in the work of saving souls, of any ever held 
in America. There was a distinguishing and powerful manifesta- 
tion of the Spirit, such as is rarely seen, during the session. The 
Church was thronged, day and night, with earnest and anxious 
hearers of the word ; multitudes were cut to the heart, repented, 
believed in Jesus Christ as their Saviour, and went on their way 
rejoicing. Once each day the Conference spent an hour in public 
worship, and in helping the work wherewith God had so mercifully 
visited the people. The Conference was in session five days; and, 
in this period, one hundred and fifty souls were born into the King- 
dom of God. The meetings, during this revival, were held almost 
without intermission. Once they remained in the Church, at wor- 
ship, forty-five consecutive hours. " They continued in this happy 
frame of mind during the sitting of Conference ; and there were 
but few hours together in which there was no one converted. 
Many people were converted in private houses, when by them- 
selves, and when at prayer in the family." From this centre, the 
good work of grace spread to the Churches around. Preachers 
and people were animated with lively zeal, and carried the fire 
of love wherever they went ; and greater multitudes were indi- 
rectly blessed by this great Conference revival of religion. 

As yet, Mr. Lee had received no special field of labour. He 
still travelled awhile longer at large. We may not follow him in 
his daily toils of riding and preaching. The mere gleanings of 
a most fruitful field are all we can allow ourself. The Confe- 
rence at Duck Creek closed on Friday ; and on Sunday, Mr. Lee 



384 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



preached twice in Wilmington. At night, he had a crowded house, 
and a great shaking among the dry bones. The word took effect 
in the hearts of sinners, and they cried out in terror. Many feared 
and fled at the powerful manifestation of the Spirit that rnaketh the 
word of the gospel " quick and powerful." Upon their flight, Mr. 
Lee dryly remarks, " Just so it was with guilty Adam, when he 
heard God coming in the garden. He ran to hide himself; but not 
to ask forgiveness for his sins." In Philadelphia, on the 10th, in a 
private interview, Bishop Asbury communicated it as the wish of 
the people, that he should remain for the year in that city as a 
pastor, and left it with himself to decide the question. He de- 
clined ; assigning as a reason, his preference for a circuit in the 
country. And at the Conference in New York, on the 19th, the 
following paper, as to the sphere of his labour for the year, was put 
in his hands by the Bishops : — 

" Jesse Lee is appointed to act as an Assistant to the Bishops in 
the Yearly Conferences, and to aid the Book interest in every part 
of the continent where he goes. 

" Dear Brother : We wish to close the Minutes in (New) York, 
if we can. You must have some place therein : will the above do ? 
York will be a blank at present. If you choose to stay until you 
think it meet to go down south, you may ; and more, you may 
make your own appointments south, and omit going eastward. 
Or go, if you choose, to the east ; or, if you choose, you may come 
to Kentucky. 

FRANCIS ASBURY, 
RICHARD WHATCOAT. 

" Saturday Morning. (June 21st.)" 

The first paragraph of this extract was intended as an entry for 
the General Minutes, if Mr. Lee had acquiesced in the appointment. 
And the letter of the Bishops gives him the largest kind of liberty 
in the premises ; and shows their very sincere desire to accommo- 
date him in his future movements. Neither of the proposed plans, 
however, met his wishes. He desired to return to the pastoral 
work, from which he had been excluded for several years. He 
accordingly wrote to the Bishops, that he did not feel at liberty to 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



385 



take the appointment as " Assistant to the Bishops," " or to travel 
at large ; but, if he had any choice, it was, after making a visit to 
the east, to take a single circuit." It was, perhaps, impracticable at 
the time, to give him a circuit ; but his wish was nearly gratified : 
— his name stands on the Minutes, as one of three appointed to the 
circuit in the city of New York. 

The last Conference for the year was held in Lynn, Massachusetts. 
Hither Mr. Lee repaired, after leaving New York : and spent seve- 
ral days in delightful intercourse with his Christian friends. Twenty- 
one Ministers were present on this occasion ; and their business was 
conducted " in love and union." Since the opening of the year, 
including the General Conference, seven Conferences had been held 
in the short space of six months. Peace pervaded the Church, and 
success in the great business of her vocation, had crowned her ar- 
duous and apostolic labours. On many a field, God had poured 
out His Spirit ; and .souls, in great numbers, had been brought to 
realize Christ's power and grace in the forgiveness of sins. There 
had been a clear gain of 3543 members ; and the Church contained 
a membership of 64,894. 

At Lynn Mr. Lee and Bishop Asbury parted company for a 
season ; the latter turning his face to the south to meet his annual 
engagements ; the former, on a tour of visitation to fields wherein 
he had sowed the first seeds of a harvest that was now everywhere 
rich with its first fruits of faith and love. It was nearly three 
years since they entered upon the plan of travel through which we 
have been gleaning for some time past ; and the relations in which 
they were brought to each other, their mutual labours and frater- 
nal intercourse, had the effect of uniting them together in bonds of 
strong and confiding friendship and affection. We may easily 
imagine their feelings on separating, and under the rupture of 
relations, dependences, and duties that had grown into habits, and 
gave vigour and purity to all their sympathies. But sympathy and 
affections were kept subject to duty ; and when it commanded, like 
Abraham, they went forth not caring whither they went, and only 
solicitous that God might go with them. Of his own journey, Mr. 
Lee says, under date of " July 22d. I left Lynn, and set out on 
my eastern tour, having concluded, at Mr. Asbury's request, to 
visit the Eastern States, and then turn up through Vermont, to 
25 



386 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



Canada, and so round to New York, and spend the winter in that 
city." We will not traverse this ground again, as we have often 
gone over it in his company. It is proper, however, to say that it 
presents the same features of cheerful piety, ardent zeal, laborious 
diligence, and faithful and effectual preaching, that we have already 
found to be distinguishing characteristics of his ministry. In proof 
of this, the following synopsis of travel and toil will not be out of 
place. He was eighty-four days in performing the journey pre- 
scribed for him by the Bishop. In this time he travelled, according 
to his daily computation, twelve hundred and sixty-three miles; 
and preached eighty-nine times — more than once a dav. " In this 
tedious journey," he says, " the Lord favoured me both in body and 
soul." He arrived in New York on the 14th of October, and con- 
tinued in the city until March of the following year. Of the nature 
of his labours here, some estimate may be formed from the follow- 
ing statement of the condition of the Church at the time. The first 
Methodist Church was built in the city in 1768, and dedicated on 
the 30th of October. " It is now," writes Mr. Lee, " thirty-two 
years since our Society had a house of worship in this place, and 
they have been increasing and multiplying ever since. We have 
now five houses of public worship. The first Church is commonly 
called Old Church; the second is called the Bowery; the third. 
North River ; the fourth is called the Two Mile Stone, being two 
miles from the centre of the city. The fifth is the African Church, 
which was erected by the people of colour for themselves to wor- 
ship in ; yet they are to be governed by the Methodists in all their 
spiritual matters. But they themselves are to settle their temporal 
matters. This Church was built in the latter part of the past year. 
Besides these houses, we have a charity school of thirty poor chil- 
dren supported by the Society, and several dwelling-houses belong- 
ing to the Society. Three Travelling Preachers are stationed in 
the city, and are assisted by several Local Preachers. When we 
took the last account of the numbers in our Society, we had six 
hundred and forty-five whites, and one hundred and thirty-one 
coloured persons. Hitherto the Lord has helped us." 

With this statement before us, we have only to recall to mind 
the indomitable zeal and energy of Mr. Lee, to be assured that in 
all the duties of his station, he was " in labours abundant." And 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 387 

he was not without living witnesses of God's gracious approval of 
his efforts to save them that were ready to perish. But he was not 
fond of city life. It was too full of noise and show, for his unso- 
phisticated simplicity of life and manners. Intending to return to 
his native state, and to devote his ministry to the building up of 
the fortunes of Methodism there, he rejoiced at the coming of the 
period when he might once more mount his horse, and re-enter the 
shifting scenes and cheerful excitements of the itinerancy. On the 
3d of March, 1801, he commenced his journey; and, although 
we find no records of personal interest, beyond his usual method 
of riding and preaching, yet it is not entirely barren of facts of a 
general nature. Two, from different departments of study, may 
be mentioned. He spent a night at the residence of a gentleman 
whose mother had recently departed this life, from whom he 
learned these facts : — She had lived in three centuries, was one 
hundred and one years nine months and seven days old, w-hen she 
died. She had three hundred and seventy-five descendants ; had, 
from extreme age, lost her sight and then recovered it again ; " and 
what was more extraordinary than this, was the fact that, after 
being for years white-headed as her crown of glory, she lost her 
hair, and it also was restored — but of the colour and texture that 
adorned her head in the days of her youth." We do not recollect 
to have met with a case similar to this. Do these changes fore- 
token those which our physical systems will undergo beyond the 
valley of the shadow of death? Another fact, of a different kind, 
and far more impressive, is also brought under notice. The scene 
is in Fredericksburg, Virginia. On the 24th of March, Mr. Lee 
preached in this place, and was rejoiced to find the Church enjoying 
a season of refreshing. It was the first spiritual visitation for a 
long series of years ; and it is mentioned in connexion with the 
following facts : — When Mr. Whitefield passed through the place, on 
one occasion, he attempted to preach ; and, either while preaching, 
or in seeking an opportunity to do so, he was treated with so much 
rudeness and incivility that, in obedience to the words of Christ, he 
pulled off his shoes, and shook the dust from them, as a testimony 
against the place. And from that solemn form of denunciation 
until the time of which we are writing, it is not known that a 
sinner was converted ; and it is affirmed no revival of religion had 



388 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



ever blessed the place with its manifold spiritual benefits. Indeed, 
Mr. Lee informs us, at the time of his visit, " it was said there was 
not one person living in the town, that lived in it when Mr. White- 
field so literally obeyed the command of Christ as a testimony that 
the cup of their iniquity was full." We do not vouch for the 
truth of these things. We give them on the authority of one who 
closely observed things, and always spoke with caution. But, it 
true, the curse had worked out its consummation. The indignation 
was past ; and God had turned from the fierceness of his anger, 
and now had mercy upon the people. A goodly number were 
gathered into the fold of Christ, a house of worship was erected, 
and seed was sown, that is even now bringing forth fruit unto 
eternal life. 

The Rev. Devereux Jarratt, the early friend of Methodism in 
Virginia, had very recently closed his earthly labours, and entered 
upon the rest and recompense of his eternal state. Mr. Lee, on 
learning the demise of the spiritual father of his family, paid a 
grateful and merited tribute to his piety as a Christian, and his 
usefulness as a minister of Christ. The early friendship of Mr. 
Jarratt for Methodism, and his fellowship and co-operation with it 
in Virginia, justly entitle him to an honourable distinction in every 
history of the Church in the state. The influence of his faithful 
ministry upon the spiritual fortunes of Mr. Lee, and his father's 
house, would forbid the omission of his name in these memoirs. 
But the work of the historian would be far more gratifying if he 
might confine himself to a grateful and reverential description of 
the earlier records, abundant labours, and distinguished success of 
Mr. Jarratt. But history teaches that in age he alienated his feel- 
ings from Methodism, and opposed it with strong and bitter words ; 
and historical accuracy demands, at least, a faithful presentation 
of the facts in the case, and of the probable causes moving him to 
pull down and destroy what in early manhood he had sought to 
build up and perpetuate. Devotion to Methodism, and a supreme 
regard to the truth of history, must plead the apology and vindicate 
the necessity of the subjoined comprehensive summary of an affair 
that we should rejoice to have sufficient cause to omit altogether. 

Mr. Jarratt departed this life on the 29th of January, 1801, in 
the 69th year of his age. In 1806, his Life, purporting to be 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



389 



u written by himself," was issued from the press in Baltimore, 
under the editorial supervision of the Rev. John Coleman, of the 
Protestant Episcopal Church in Maryland. The Life is composed 
of letters, biographical and doctrinal, written by Mr. Jarratt at 
intervals from 1790 to 1797. They were all addressed to Mr. 
Coleman ; and " breathe out" not " threatenings and slaughter" 
exactly, but revilings and bitter invectives. A somewhat careful 
analysis of his letters against Methodism enables us to classify his 
objections to it as ecclesiastical, doctrinal, and personal. We may 
briefly review them. 

1. Ecclesiastical objections to Methodism. Methodism was in 
the -ascendant in Virginia. It was rapidly gathering good fruits 
from every circle of social life. The Episcopal Church, no longer 
sustained by the state, was depressed and forsaken, and without 
spiritual strength to nourish it, was waning in every parish : its 
light was nearly extinct. Mr. Jarratt is the witness to testify of 
these things : 

" The prospect here in Virginia is gloomy, and truly suspicious 
and discouraging. Churches are little attended — perhaps (I judge 
from report) not more than a dozen one Sunday with another ; and 
sometimes about half that number. This indeed is shocking, 
alarming, and distressing, on many considerations — as it goes to 
manifest not only the low and still declining state of the Church," 
&c. " In a word, the prospect of the Church's prosperity becomes 
more and more forbidding every year."* 

Nor were Mr. Jarratt's own services much better attended, or 
his visions of usefulness more brilliant or encouraging : 

" When I now go to places where formerly some hundreds used 
to attend my sermons, I can scarcely get forty hearers." " In 
my own parish also, I have the mortification to behold those who 
were once my near and dear friends, yea, my children in the gos- 
pel, fall off from me, and join with my worst enemies. Instead of 
crowded Churches as formerly, my hearers seldom exceed, on 
Sundays, one hundred and fifty, and for the most part,'hardly half 
of that number. The communicants have decreased ten-fold."f 

To one so devotedly attached to his Church as Mr. Jarratt was, 



* Life of Jarratt, pp. 178, 179. 



t Ibid. p. 123. 



390 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



these facts must have proved excessively annoying. But it must 
have been when mortification " shifting, turns the other way," that 
he felt at liberty to " attribute 1 ' them " to nothing so much as the 
machinations of the Methodists."* And the imputation that the 
efforts then put forth by certain political aspirants to reproduce the 
irreligion of the French school of infidelity, might be traced, not 
to the "machinations of the Methodists," but to the imbecility of their 
ministers,^ must be attributed to a feeling that sometimes, in spite 
of piety, springs up in a good man's heart. The multitudes thus 
forsaking the Church, heretofore by law established, had found a 
refuge and a rest in Methodism ; and hence the letters of Mr. 
Jarratt, while lamenting the rapid decline and prospective downfall 
of Episcopalianism in Virginia, are replete with mournful evidences 
of " mortification" at the continued success and growing fortunes 
of the humble and laborious followers of Wesley. Indeed he ri- 
dicules the measures of Methodism, and seems to exult in its mis- 
fortunes — especially in the rumour of dissension in the body, and 
the destruction of its College by fire.J 

2. But. there were doctrinal difficulties also in the way of fellow- 
ship with Methodism. Mr. Jarratt was a Calvinist, moderate it 
may be, but according to the doctrine of the seventeenth article of 
the Church of England. He was rooted and grounded in the doc- 
trine of the imputed righteousness of Christ. This doctrine forms 
no part of Methodist theology, nor can there be any affinities for it 
in a purely Wesleyan creed. Free grace, salvation by the righte- 
ousness of faith, were the doctrines constantly, even vehemently, 
taught by the early Methodist ministers. The Confession of Faith — 
Predestination, and invincible grace, — and Methodist theology, are 
irreconcilable. Where Methodism prevails, Calvinism is not be- 
lieved. The prevalence of Methodism in Virginia brought the 
Calvinism of Mr. Jarratt into disrepute ; and as he would not aban- 
don the doctrine, he had to follow it into retirement. In other 
words, as he would not cease preaching it, the people would cease 
from hearing him. Hence the complaint of being neglected ; and 
here, also, is the vindication of the desertion. He complains of be- 



* Life of Jarratt, p. 124. t Ibid. pp. 125-139, 156. 

X Ibid. pp. 180-1. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



391 



ing listened to, by the few who came to hear, " in a cautious and 
captious way — for you must know I am accused of preaching 
bad doctrine. . . . But it is truly laughable to hear doctrines 
established by the greatest divines, for so many centuries, now con- 
demned as execrable by those who never studied divinity in their 
lives, nor never read any system of theology whatever." Farcical 
as this may have seemed, it is a fact sufficiently established by the 
plaintiff in the case, that the altar on which imputed righteousness 
was stretched, blazed with no other victim than he who persisted in 
preaching it. 

3. The chief offence of Methodism, however, and that which sunk 
deepest in the mind of Mr. Jarratt, was a personal affair between 
himself and Dr. Coke. In 1789, Dr. Coke and Mr. Jarratt met in 
North Carolina. In a brief interview the subject of slavery was 
introduced and discussed. Subsequently, Dr. Coke published his 
Journal, in the Arminian Magazine for the year, and introduced the 
conversation referred to. The reference is a very brief one ; and 
alleges the ownership of twenty-four slaves by Mr. Jarratt, as the 
ground of his opposition to the measures sought to be carried out 
by himself. This statement, with a few merely incidental remarks 
of the Journal, gave great offence to Mr. Jarratt. Under date of 
April 15, 17 90, in a letter to Mr. Coleman, he enters upon a some- 
what general, and very caustic review of the Doctor's Journal, in 
which he finds much to condemn — nothing to approve or praise. 
He charges " five falsities" upon the Minute respecting himself, in 
addition to the general allegation of being " very trifling and not 
worth reading." The letter, as a whole, is the severest piece of 
composition we have seen from the author's pen. So much for the 
letter. A remark as to its position in the published Life of Jarratt 
is important to a better understanding of what follows. It stands, 
though the first written, yet the last in the book, it seems to have 
been inserted as an after-thought ; and is introduced by Mr. Cole- 
man, with the remark that " it was omitted in order to procure and 
re-examine Dr. Coke's Journal, and would have been omitted alto- 
gether, but being informed that some persons were prejudiced 
against Mr. Jarratt's Sermons on account of the Journal, it was 
thought proner to add it, though the work was already finished." 
It is possible Mr. Coleman did not know that the personal difficulty 



392 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



between these good men had been amicably adjusted, nearly ten 
years previous to the death of Mr. Jarratt ; and yet, from the inti- 
macy between them, it seems scarcely probable. Still the recon- 
ciliation is a fact; the proof is clear and positive, and it involves 
the editorship of Jarratt's Life, subsequent to 1791, in a grave ques- 
tion of integrity. Certainly, if the letter in question had been 
" omitted altogether," it would have left the spirit pervading the 
letters of 1794-5-6-7, freer from blame ; and the letters them 
selves less exposed to the suspicion of having fallen into careless 
hands. There are allusions to Dr. Coke in the body of the letters 
that will not quadrate with the "frank and Christian letter of Mr. 
Jarratt to Dr. Coke, recently discovered, and now for the first time 
published.* It bears directly upon the subject at issue, and acquits 
Dr. Coke of all the imputations contained in the letter at the close 
of Jarratt's Life. The following is an exact copy of the letter here 
referred to ; and will satisfy the reader that the Editor of Jarratt's 
Letters would have rendered no disservice to truth and charity if 
he had " omitted altogether" all those letters containing severe and 
unkind animadversions upon the Institutions and Ministers of Me- 
thodism. But the work has been done, evil has followed in its 
wake ; and though the time is long past, it is not too late to attempt 
its correction. This letter will do it effectually. 

" April 19, 1791. 

" Reverend and dear Sir : Though I assured you yesterday that 
you had a full and free pardon, for any fault you may have com- 
mitted in the publication of your Journal, as far as it respected 
me ; yet, as you wish to have the assurance of it from under my 
hand, I have snatched a little time to give you that satisfaction. 
And I do here assure you, dear sir, that you are not only pardoned 
by me, but have also gained an increase of my esteem for you, by 
the spirit in which your letter to me was written, and the frank 
and truly candid manner in which you have acknowledged what 

* This letter, now in the author's possession, is in Mr. Jarratt's own hand, 
and is unquestionably genuine. It was found some years since in a volume of 
Haweis' Commentary, originally belonging to the library of Mr. Jarratt. It is 
a draft of the one we may readily believe was sent to Dr. Coke. And although 
it is not addressed -personally to the Doctor, yet its character and" design are un- 
m-istakeable ; and in all other respects it is perfect. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



393 



you thought to be faulty and justly offensive. I shall say no 
more on this head, but wish it to be for ever buried in oblivion. 

" I am not altogether a stranger to the great and extensive 
labours in which both you and my justly admired friend, Mr. 
Asbury, are engaged ; and have therefore no right to expect a 
formal visit from either of you. But should it ever be convenient, 
ind consistent with your main design, to call on me, and spend 
some time at my house, I should esteem it a great favour, would 
thank you sincerely, and do everything in my power to make you 
both happy while you shall think proper to continue under the 
shadow of my roof. Wishing you may be the happy instrument 
of bringing many souls to glory, I conclude, 

" Your sincere friend, and Brother in Christ, 
« DEVEREUX JARRATT." 

This settles the whole matter growing out of the Journal of Dr. 
Coke, and the offence it gave to Mr. Jarratt. If, after this, Mr. 
Jarratt became displeased with Methodism and its ministers, and 
the earliest of his letters in condemnation of them is dated in 1794, 
the grounds of his renewed displeasure ought, in justice to his 
memory, to have been distinctly stated. But we find nothing upon 
the subject. Under the circumstances already mentioned, we may 
find sufficient grounds for the mortification he expresses ; and 
under the pressure of mortified feelings, and in the freedom of a 
confiding friendship, he may have penned the letters so offensive 
to Methodism, and so defenceless against a just criticism ; but 
that they were originally intended for the eye of the public, we 
gravely question. In 1806, Methodism had many adversaries. 
It may have been thought that Mr. Jarratt's letters would accom- 
plish the double object of lowering Methodism, and of exalting, or 
contributing to resuscitate, for it was still prostrate, the Episcopal 
Church. We can see here a reason for Mr. Coleman's procedure 
in their publication. Beyond this all is darkness and conjecture. 
We know they have been, and still are used for these purposes.* 

* We must, in a general way, except from the force of this remark the 
abridged Life of Jarratt, published in 1840, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Meade, of 
Virginia. Yet, in omitting all of Mr. Jarratt's objectionable remarks, the Bishop 
assumes the responsibility of speaking of the early ministers of Methodism as 



394 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



But we believe with very partial success in both cases. The 
nature of the object, and the inefficiency of the means, leave nc 
room for surprise at such a result. To those familiar with the 
traditionary history of Mr. Jarratt, there has always seemed a 
discrepancy between his character while living, and his life as 
published. The letter here introduced is like Mr. Jarratt : those 
of Mr. Coleman scarcely resemble him. With all our veneration 
for the character of Mr. Jarratt, we cannot disguise the fact that 
all, or most of the principal complaints against the Methodists, are 
based upon occurrences previous to 1789. In 1791, in his letter 
to Dr. Coke, lie wishes the affair between them " to be for ever 
buried in oblivion :" and speaks with heart-felt pleasure of his 
"justly admired friend, Mr. Asbury." And yet, in 1794, in 
reviewing his life, he introduces references to these "justly 
admired'' ministers, and the occurrences of our earlier Ecclesi- 
astical history, for which we can find no warrant in the letter to 
Dr. Coke, and no reason in any event subsequent to it. As facts 
occuring in his history, they properly belonged to a narrative of 
his life. But then his reconciliation with Dr. Coke, and his admi- 
ration for "Mr. Asbury" after their occurrence, were also facts, neu- 
tralizing the character and destroying the force of the pre-existing 
difficulties ; and they were justly entitled to a place in his history.* 
Their presence would have constituted an antidote sufficient for the 
vindication of Methodism. We have only supplied this defect in 
the life of Mr. Jarratt, and may safely leave the subject to the 
award of the reader. 

'•the zealous exporters of Mr. Wesley," and of their "meetings for prayer and 
exhortation" — terms cf reproach, in so far as they affect to deny them the title 
and character of ministers, as offensive to Methodism as they are unbecoming 
the personal worth and official position of their author. 

* In connexion with these facts, and bearing upon the general subject, it may 
be stated that, by special request, Bishop Asbury preached the funeral sermon 
of Mr. Jarratt, on Sunday, the 19th of April. The text for the occasion was 
Matt. xxv. 21 : His Lord said unto him, Well, done, thou good and faithful ser- 
va?tt, &c. The Bishop also pays a just and affectionate tribute to the character 
of his departed friend. Whether he ever saw the " Life of Jarratt" we know 
not. If he did, he must have experienced a very great surprise. He could 
have anticipated nothing of the kind when preaching the funeral sermon ; and 
bearing testimony so broad and unselfish to the social and ministerial excellen- 
cies of his friend. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



395 



The Virginia Conference for the year 1801, was held at Drom- 
goole's Chapel, in Brunswick county, on the 9th of April.* Mr. 
Lee attended the Conference, and received his regular appointment 
from it, and within its bounds. Bishop Asbury says : " Brother 
Lee preached on Saturday ;" but about what, and with what 
results, there is no ground even for conjecture. His appointment 
for the year was to the Presiding Eldership of what was called the 
South District of Virginia ; but known in the Minutes as Norfolk 
District, comprehending within its geographical limits nearty one- 
half of the present Virginia Conference. It had nine appointments 
and eighteen Preachers, and extended in length from Norfolk nearly 
to Lynchburg; and in width embraced the country lying between 
the James and Roanoke Rivers, and their outlets to the ocean. 
Mr. Lee did not prefer such an official position in the Church. He 
desired the more quiet and less laborious employments of a cir- 
cuit. Having spent several years in traversing the Ecclesiastical 
continent, and in the truly missionary ground of New England, he 
had come to his native state, not positively to rest, but to " do the 
work of an evangelist" in a smaller sphere, and in fields well cul- 
tivated it is true, but still offering work enough to tax his best and 
most enduring energies. The soil of his own heart, he felt, could 
be better cared for in the routine of circuit-life, than in the stirring 
scenes and exciting responsibilities of a district ; and he greatly 
desired to strengthen and increase his own faith and holiness by 
all the appliances of pastoral duty and personal devotion. But. 
notwithstanding these desires, he did not complain of the appoint- 
ment, nor hesitate to enter upon its duties. He had laid himself 
upon the altar of sacrifice ; and he cheerfully met all the demands 
of the consecrating act. As characteristic of himself, as well as in 
proof of his fidelity to his engagements, it may be stated that dur- 
ing the Conference year he " attended twenty-five Quarterly Meet- 
ings, was present at twenty-seven love-feasts, and preached two 
hundred and ninety-four sermons." He also made it a rule " to 
preach at every regular preaching-place in the bounds of his dis- 

* " This Conference was appointed for the first day of April; but the Bishops 
said they forgot the time, and directed the Preachers to make their appointments 
beforehand, so as to bring them to Conference on the 9th of April." Hist. Me- 
thodists, p. 276. 



396 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



triet, at least once a year." " In all labour there is profit." The 
truth of this saying of the wise man was abundantly verified in the 
labours and experience of Mr. Lee. In the abundance of his zeal 
for others, he was greatly blessed of God ; and his profiting 
appeared in a richer experience of the things of God, and a con- 
stantly augmenting pleasure in the work whereunto he was called 
of the Holy Ghost. Hence, when at the solemn close of the year, 
he sat down to " commune with his own heart," and to " talk with 
his past hours," he joyfully records his recollections of the good- 
ness of God, and of the stability of his soul amidst the commotions 
and mutations of time. "Thus far I have endeavoured to fill my 
station faithfully, and have been greatly comforted amongst the 

Preachers and people I bless God that I do love him, and 

I love his people ; and it is the determination of my soul to serve 
Him all the days of my life. Whether I live or die, I dedicate my 
soul and body to the Lord, to be wholly His without reserve, for 
ever and for evermore. Even so. Amen : Come, Lord Jesus." 

But life has its changes ; and " the contradiction of sinners" 
often breaks the unity, if not the harmony, of one's best feelings. 
Mr. Lee had a keen sense of the ridiculous ; and unequivocal 
powers of exposing and rebuking it. On one occasion, when he 
was engaged in the opening services of public worship, he per- 
ceived the gentlemen intermixed with the ladies, and occupying 
seats appropriated to them. Supposing them to be unaware of the 
violation of the order of things, he respectfully stated the rule upon 
the subject, and requested them to take seats on their own side of 
the house. All but a few immediately complied with the request. 
It was again repeated ; and all but one left. He stood his ground, 
as if determined not to yield. Again the rule was repeated, and 
the request followed it. But no disposition to retire was indicated. 
Leaning down upon the desk, and fixing his penetrating eye upon 
the offender for a moment, and then raising himself erect, and 
looking with an arch smile over the congregation, he drawled 
out : " Well, brethren, I asked the gentlemen to retire from those 
seats, and they did so. But it seems that man is determined not 
to move. We must, therefore, serve him as the little boys say, 
when a marble slips from their fingers — let him ' go for slip- 
fancc? " To say he slipped out of the house, is only to describe 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 397 

the fact in language borrowed from the figure by which the rebuke 
was conveyed. At another time, while engaged in preaching, he 
was not a little mortified to discover many of the congregation 
taking rest in sleep ; and not a little annoyed by the loud talking 
of the people in the yard. Pausing long enough for the absence 
of the sound to startle the sleepers, he raised his voice, and cried 
out : " I'll thank the people in the yard not to talk so loud ; they'll 
wake up the people in the house !" This was " killing two birds 
with one stone," in a most adroit and effectual manner. 

In the latter part of this year, Mr. Lee received the melancholy 
intelligence of the death of his brother John. This mournful event 
occurred in Wilkes county, North Carolina, on the 6th of October, 
1801. Mr. John Lee was born on the 12th of March, 1770 ; con- 
verted July 13, 1787; was admitted into the Travelling Ministry, 
September 12, 1788 ; and laboured, with great zeal and usefulness, 
for several years. In 1788, he laboured with his brother on 
Flanders circuit. Here he was instrumental in " turning many to 
righteousness." In 1789, he travelled Long Island circuit, in con- 
nexion with Win. Phoebus. After spending some time on the 
island, he was transferred to New Rochelle circuit, and thence, in 
due order, to labour with his brother in Connecticut. At the New 
York Conference, in 1790, he was appointed to New Haven cir- 
cuit ; but his own declining health, and the intelligence of the death 
of his venerable mother, determined him to " return to his father's 
house;" and he was never again in circumstances to admit of his 
travelling a circuit. He subsequently settled in Petersburg ; and 
maintained his integrity as a Christian Minister, until he was 
called to a better and a more enduring inheritance in heaven. In 
the summer of 1801, he entered upon a tour through the moun- 
tainous districts of his native state ; seeking, but vainly, to recruit 
his waning health. During this trip, his letters breathe patience of 
spirit, and are full of holy resignation. In one of them, he says ; — 
" I thank God that I delight in resigning myself to Him, and wish, 
with all my heart — 

1 His pleasure to fulfil.' 

I long to be like Him, and to suffer with Him, that I may reign with 
Him." In this happy frame of quiet and holy feeling, he continued 
gradually to descend to the house appointed for all living. His death 



398 THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 

was as singular in its externa] characteristics, as it was glorious in 
its triumph over the fear of the last enemy. The subjoined simple 
but affecting record of his departure out of this world, is copied from 
the brief Memorial of his life, written by his brother. While yet 
journeying, he was sensible the time of his departure was just at 
hand. Late in the day on which he died, he reached the residence 
of Mrs. Brown, a pious widow, accustomed to entertain strangers. 
He had not been long here, before he informed the family he 
expected to die during the night. This greatly surprised them, 
especially as he was then walking about the floor. " He then 
went out" to his servant, "Ezekiel, who was feeding the horses, and 
told him to take good care of them, for he should never see them 
fed any more. He asked Ezekiel to sit down on a log by him, and 
told him the ulcer on his lungs had broke, and he should die that 
night. He complained of shortness of breath, but no pain at all. 
He gave Ezekiel some of his most valuable papers, and "directed 
him what to do with them. He also gave him instructions about 
getting home, &c. He then said, ' I shall die to-night ; and when 
I am dead, I want you to go down (into Surry county) and get 
Brother Moss and Brother Parks to come and bury me.' All this 
time he talked with the utmost composure, as though nothing 
was the matter with him, or as if he were giving directions about 
the death of another person. He continued the conversation until 
it was nearly dark, and then returned to the house. On entering 
the house he asked for water, bathed his feet, and said, ' I am sure 
I am about to die.' He asked some of the family if they could 
sing, and being answered, ' Not well,' he asked if any of them 
would pray ? But all were silent. He then kneeled down and 
prayed aloud for some time, and begged the Lord to give him 
patience, and take him to heaven. As he arose from prayer he 
said, ' My work is done.' He then said to Ezekiel, ' Give my love 
to everybody, and tell my friends not to mourn or grieve after me, 
for I am happy and sure of heaven.' After awhile, he again knelt 
down, and prayed a second time : and then, getting up, walked 
about, and told the family he was now about to die. He knelt a 
third time and prayed, till his servant, perceiving the failure of his 
voice, took hold of him and said, ' Master John, get up ;' and, lift- 
ing him up, he placed him on a chair, and sat by him. Being in 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



399 



a profuse sweat, he said, ' Ezekiel, wipe my face.' After perform- 
ing this last office, he took him in his arms and laid him on a 
bed. He just stretched himself, and died in Jesus, without a strug- 
gle or a groan." The weary wheels of life, stood still. What a 
tranquil close of a quiet and holy life ! Much of his life had been 
spent on his knees, and he wished to ascend from them to the 
place of his rest, where he should stand erect and free for ever. 
The sympathy of his servant prevented that consummation of his 
hopes, but could not hold him back from the multitude of worship- 
pers " before the throne of God and the Lamb." So closed a life 
that in early youth had been consecrated to its Creator, and every 
period of which had been replete with simplicity and purity. 
" Precious in the sight of the Lord, is the death of his saints." 
Funeral sermons, in commemoration of this departed servant of 
Christ, were preached by Bishop Whatcoat, at the place of his 
burial, on Ps. cxvi. 15 ; by his brother, at his father's, on Dan. 
xii. 3; and by Bishop Asbury, in Petersburg, his place of resi- 
dence, on Phil. ii. 20.*' These facts will serve to show the estimate 
in which he was held while living. He was a burning and shining 
light; and, -for zeal, affection, and devotion to the duties of the 
ministry, his career, brief as it was, was full of promise to the 
Church. But, in the midst of his usefulness, he was taken to the 
more congenial employments of the temple service in heaven. 

The Virginia Conference for 1802 was held at Salem Meeting- 
House, it is believed in Greensville county, on the 1st of March. 
The Conference was in session four days. Four Preachers were 
received ; but Bishop Asbury regrets the deficiency of minis- 
ters for the demands of the work. He mentions ten appoint- 
ments that ought to have had an additional minister. There 
was a gracious revival of religion during the session. About 

* Bishop Asbury, Journal, vol. iii. p. 56, says: " By appointment (in Peters 
burg), I preached John Lee's funeral sermon. My text was Phil. ii. 22." He 
gives the plan of his sermon: " I. The excellency of the gospel. II. The service 
of the gospel. III. The proof of Timothy — his pious parents ; his education, 
conviction, conversion, call, and ordination; his ministry; his obedience as a 
son with a father — in mutual love, in mutual confidence, and mutual services: 
I showed the excellency of patriarchal or family government in the Church. I 
paralleled John Lee's character with Timothy's, in his manner of living, labour- 
ing, and death." 



400 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



twenty souls were brought to experience the pardoning mercy of \ 
God ; and the good work of grace continued to bless the Church 
many days after the Conference closed. In the preaching that 
contributed to this blessed result, Mr. Lee, according to Bishop 
Asbury, performed an important part. 

Mr. Lee was continued in the same official position he had oc- 
cupied the preceding year, and he entered upon its duties with 
customary zeal and diligence. And not without great encourage- 
ment in the work : for while it was a year of almost unexampled 
prosperity to Methodism in America, it was also one of signal suc- 
cess in the district over which he presided. Many souls were 
made to rejoice in the pardon of sins, and in full assurance of faith. 
The following simple record of two meetings he attended, will serve 
at once to show his own singleness of heart in religious duty, and 
to illustrate the open-hearted simplicity that so beautifully adorns 
the religious fervour of the times. At a Quarterly Meeting at 
Mabry's Chapel, Greensville county, in June, there was a powerful 
" manifestation of the Spirit." " The place," says Mr. Lee, " was 
awful indeed. After awhile, one proclaimed aloud that God had 
converted her soul. Another spoke out and said, ' God had 
reached a young man's heart.' One of the Preachers called to 
one of the sisters, saying, ' Sister, your daughter has promised that 
she will set out for heaven.' Thus they continued for a consider- 
able time." Again, at a Quarterly Meeting in Sussex, at Jones' 
Chapel, there was a more signal outpouring of the Spirit. Of the 
Sabbath, we have the following : " The meeting continued till sun- 
setting, in which time it was said sixteen souls were converted, 
including one or two who were converted the day before. The 
- work was also among the blacks. About the going down of the 
sun, a young lad was converted, which was the last, there being 
but few people in the Meeting-Housc. One of the Preachers 
shouted aloud, and praised God that the Christians had taken the 
field, and kept the ground, for there was not a sinner left. Another 
Preacher asked some of them to look out of doors, and see if they 
could not find one more sinner, for he thought if they could find an- 
other, he would get converted. But there was not another uncon- 
verted sinner to be found: ctt the Meeting-PIouse. So they praised 
God together and returned home. Most of those w ho were converted, 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 40- 

were the children of Methodist parents, though some of their 
parents had been dead for many years. This was the best Quar- 
terly Meeting I have had since L have been on the district." There 
was great fervour and strong faith in these exercises. But the one 
did not degenerate into fanaticism, nor the other swell into pre- 
sumption. Infidelity might scoff at such an exhibition of religious 
zeal, and formalism scorn it as a manifestation of spiritual igno-' 
ranee ; but the well instructed in the Kingdom of God will regard 
it as an illustration of that " power of godliness" to which we are 
to cleave as a first law of Christianity, and fundamental of all our 
realizations of the assurance of faith, and the comfort of the Holy 
Ghost. Religious principle is changeless, and there is the same 
Spirit ; " but there is a diversity of administrations ;" and all these 
worketh that self-same Spirit. The manifestations of spiritual 
power are not always the same, even in the same age and among 
the same people. There are diversities of gifts, and grace has a 
thousand modes of developement. These may depend upon indivi- 
dual temperament and peculiarities, social customs and habits, and 
the general intelligence and refinements of the age. Morbid 
sensibility of feeling, perverted taste, and corrupt inclinations con- 
trolled by defective judgment or bad education, may despise and 
deride them all. But they are not therefore wrong and reprehen- 
sible. What fair and faultless specimen of pure religion has the 
enmity of the carnal mind permitted to pass uncensured or uncon- 
demned 1 If it had been possible, " the natural man" would long 
since have stripped the tree of life of its last leaf, and left it without 
foliage for shelter, or fruit to refresh and preserve. God's ways 
are higher and holier than ours ; and the seeming extravagances 
of the times we are writing of, and even of the meeting we are 
considering, may be vindicated upon grounds more solid and scrip- 
tural than pretensions put forth as the perfection of religious excel- 
lence in the present day. What shall we say of the marvellous 
effects now ascribed to " the Sign of the Cross," and of the claims 
by which it is urged upon the Christian mind of the age, as a most 
devout and holy duty, by a party of grave and intelligent divines 
of the Church of England % One of them sings its virtues in the 
following strain of poetic fervour : 
26 



402 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



" Whene'er across this sinful breast of mine 

I draw the Holy Sign, 
All good thoughts stir within me, and collect 

Their slumbering strength divine ; 
Till there springs up that hope of God's elect, 

My faith shall ne'er be wrecked. 
And who shall say, but hateful spirits around, 

For their brief hour unbound, 
Shudder to see, and wail their overthrow ! 

While on far heathen ground 
Some lonely Saint hails the fresh odour, though 

Its source he cannot know." * 

The sentiment of these lines is as undisguised, as its language is 
chaste and appropriate to its object. The sign itself is declared to 

be Jwly ; and supernatural effects are attributed directly to a 

cross mark upon the breast ! It stirs " all good thoughts," how- 
ever long or soundly they may have been slumbering. It gives to 
pious hope the assurance of final salvation in heaven. It sends a 
thrill of horror through the breasts of all the devils in the vicinity 
of its performance, and extorts groans, " not loud, but deep" in 
anticipation of their " overthrow." And, marvel greatest and most 
confounding of all, it sends " fresh odour" to regale the nostrils of 
" some lonely saint" " ^n far heathen ground," leaving him, how- 
ever, profoundly mystified as to " whence it came, and whither it 
goeth !" In the presence of the Bible, so extensively circulated in 
the present day, after protesting against the introduction of such a 
superstition into the Churches of Protestant Christendom, we may 
safely leave such theology to the pity of well informed Christians, 
and to the consummation of its own folly in the breasts of those 
who " seek after a sign." But in comparison with such a founda- 
tion on which to rest the assurance of faith, how purer and more 
substantial are the exercises which brought souls to Christ on the 
occasion recorded by Mr. Lee ; and how certainly are they more 
accordant with the terms and principles of the gospel of Christ ! 
The one is solid rock ; the other, shifting sand or yielding water. 
• In a revival of pure religion, Mr. Lee was always in an element 
congenial with his feelings, and with the great object of his life and 
labours. Happily for his godly edifying, the year of his life we 

* Lyra Apostolica, p. 14, English edition. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



403 



are reviewing was replete with this kind of toil and consolation. 
And not only in his own district, but generally through the Con- 
ference, there were times of refreshing. The Church was edified — 
and multiplied ; not only by the accession of members to her com- 
munion, but by an increase of all spiritual gifts and graces. At 
the Conference at Dromgoole's Chapel, on the 1st of March, 1803, 
it was ascertained that one thousand souls had been added to the 
number of them that believed, within the limits of its jurisdiction. 
Nor were other portions of the Church either " barren or unfruit- 
ful" in the service of Christ, and the saving of souls. The labours 
of the year had been crowned with an abundant harvest: 13,860 
persons had been added to the fellowship of Methodism. And Mr. 
Lee records it as the most prosperous year, all things considered, 
and especially for the numerous and valuable additions to the 
ministry, the Church had witnessed since its existence in America. 

The year 1803 is remarkable in the history of Methodism in 
Virginia, for the introduction of Camp-Meetings. These meetings 
originated in the Western States, and may be traced to the necessi- 
ties of a sparsely populated country, with only occasional opportu- 
nities of enjoying the divinely instituted means of grace. Under 
these circumstances, meetings to satisfy the necessities of large dis- 
tricts were held in the woods, and those coming from a distance 
would, in the nature of the case, bring both food and the means of 
shelter and comfort. So successful were these meetings in the pro- 
duction and extension of revivals of religion, that these accidental 
assemblies were substituted by regular appointments, and continued 
services day and night. A more full and perfect account of the 
origin and history of these meetings, may be found in other works.* 
Our object is briefly to notice their introduction into Virginia, and 
their connexion with the history of Mr. Lee. Of the first meeting 
of the kind he ever attended, he gives the subjoined condensed ac- 
count : " We had about 2500 or 3000 hearers on the Sabbath, 
and as many white people on Monday, but not so many blacks. 
We had many sermons during the meeting; sometimes we had 
preaching at both stands at the same time. Twenty-nine ministers 
were present. According to the best account I could get, about 



* Bangs's Hist. M. E. Church, vol. ii. pp. 101-118. 



404 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



thirty-five souls were converted ; the most of them were white peo 
pie. Many had objections to the meeting before it came on, but 
those who attended it were generally pleased, and very desirous of 
having another. I have seen no meeting in this part of the world 
for years, that was so pleasing and profitable to me." 

In a few weeks, he visited another of these meetings within his 
district. It was held in Brunswick county, as was also the pre- 
ceding ; and was more remarkable than the former, both for the 
number of attendants, and the greater success that crowned the 
faithful preaching of the gospel. " Every discourse, and every ex- 
hortation given during the meeting, was attended by displays of 
Divine power. Almost every hour and every minute was employed 
in the worship of God. A little time was spent in seeking refresh- 
ment, and in necessary repose, but each endeavoured to improve 
his time to the best advantage, and seemed satisfied only with the 
hidden manna of God's love, and the living streams of His grace. 
Pvlore than a hundred living witnesses for Jesus were raised up at 
this meeting." In his History, Mr. Lee attributes many of the 
great and powerful revivals of religion, with which the Church was 
blessed in 1803, to the instrumentality of camp-meetings, which 
were now becoming common, and were in every case attended with 
distinguished success. In these meetings there was unity and co- 
operation among Christians of different denominations, especially 
among the Presbyterians and Methodists ; to the former of whom 
their origin is to be distinctly and creditably ascribed. As a legiti- 
mate result of these gracious and general revivals, we find a great 
accession to the membership of the Church. It was the most fruit- 
ful year Methodism had yet realized in the United States. The 
Church was never more devoted to the cause of Christ ; never more 
closely united in the bonds of peace. A most delightful harmony 
everywhere prevailed : Jesus saiv " the travail of his soul, and was 
satisfied ;" and God, out of the holy place, looked upon the work 
and said it was good. In summing up the labours of the year, it 
was found that Methodism had added to its communion, as its share 
of the general triumph, 17,336 members. 

The Virginia Conference for 1804, was held at Salem Meeting- 
House, in Mecklenburg county. One fruit of the revivals already 
noticed, is apparent in the proceedings of this Conference — great 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



405 



harmony in business, and an addition of fifteen to the number of 
those actively employed in preaching " glad tidings of good things" 
through Christ Jesus the Lord. " We have added," says Bishop 
Asbury, " after a great mortality, one thousand members to the 
Virginia Conference bounds." We learn, from the same authority, 
that, owing to the pressure of business, and the want of time, " the I 
Preachers' experiences, the state of the work, and the circuits, were \ 
not given." This led to the adoption of a resolution, recommending 
the approaching General Conference to authorize each Annual Con- 
ference to extend its session for one week, if necessary, for the 
completion of its business. Previously th e Bishop had control o f the 
time^nhejess^on, and could close it at pleasure, or to suit his own 
convenience. The recommendation was adopted, and a rule framed 

in accordance with it. In conclusion of this Conference, Mr. Lee 

«».,, , ' 

was appointed to Williamsburg circuit. He, however, only had 
time to reach it, and enter upon the preparatory duties of the year, 
when he was called to the session of the General Conference, 
which commenced in the city of Baltimore, May th e 6th ? 1804. 

The composition of this General Conference will show, what had 
been long felt, and as we shall yet see was once proposed by Mr. 
Lee, the importance of a change in the mode of constituting this 
supreme judicatory of the Church. It consisted of one hundred 
and eight members, representing seven Annual Conferences ; but 
the representation of the remoter bodies, when compared with that 
of those near at hand, scarcely deserves the name. The assembly 
was thus apportioned between the Conferences : 



Western Conference, 3 

South Carolina do. . . 5 

New England do 4 

New York do 12 

Virginia do '17 

Baltimore do 30 

Philadelphia do 37 

Total, 108* 



* Dr. Bangs, History, vol. ii. p. 151, says one hundred and seven. But he 
only allows twenty-nine for Baltimore. Mr. Lee gives thirty. He also informs 



406 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



From this tabular statement it appears there was a very great, 
and under possible circumstances, a very dangerous disproportion 
between the representations of the different Conferences. Thus, 
Baltimore and Philadelphia had nearly two-thirds of the whole 
body; while the remaining five Conferences had but little more' 
than one-third : a preponderance not always safe, even in the hands 
of good men. We are not aware that this power of two Confer- 
ences to govern the whole body was employed ; but the fact was 
noticed, and, according to Mr. Lee, the necessity of a different ar- 
rangement was felt, and an alteration attempted. But. the time was 
not come. Both of the preceding Conferences were numerically 
stronger than the one we are reviewing. But in point of ministerial 
talent and experience, this was regarded as superior. Heretofore 
ministers of two years' standing were allowed to sit as members, 
but now four years in the itinerancy were required to entitle to a 
seat. This has since, under the delegated General Conference, 
become the law of the Church. 

As at former sessions of this body, so at this, it was attempted 
to " stand on the shoulders" of their predecessors, and carry the 
system of Ecclesiastical economy as near to perfection as was pos- 
sible to their circumstances, and the state of their experience. To 
this end they proceeded to read, revise, alter, and correct, in con- 
secutive order, the entire spiritual and temporal laws and regula- 
tions of the Church. We may not follow them through this difficult 
and perplexing labour, nor will we attempt to present even the 
general results of the session in this department of its duties. A 
few of the more prominent measures perfected by them, and which 
still remain, is all that our limits will allow. 

A feature of our system, in which it differs from the parent stock 
in England, and which distinguishes it from all others, is the regula- 
tion prohibiting, except under peculiar and clearly defined exceptions, 
the continuance of our ministers for more than two consecutive 
years, in the same field of labour. Previously they were, occa- 
sionally at least, continued in some appointments for three years. 

us one hundred and twelve took their seats, but by vote of the ho^y five were 
declared not to be legally entitled to seats, which reduced the number as above 
stated. It is believed the illegality consisted in not having travelled "four fall 
calendar years." This at the time was the law of the Church. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



407 



In the absence of specific rules to the contrary, there were, under 
cover of an itinerant plan of the ministry, just and general objec- 
tions to this practice. A plan more simple and better adapted 
to " equalize the privileges and toils of an itinerant ministry," was 
desired. Besides, it was breeding discontent and opening the way 
for innovation. Wealthy Societies were unwilling to give up po'pu- 
lar ministers, and popular ministers were becoming reluctant to 
leave influential and wealthy communities. Ease and self-in- 
dulgence were in conflict with toil and self-denial. There were 
cases in point, and they were embarrassing to the Episcopal admi- 
nistration. One of these is mentioned by a survivor of the General 
Conference of 1H04;* and it is alleged that the minister referred 
to, availing himself of the popular current in his favour to continue 
in his appointment, was busily preparing to enter the ministry of 
the Protestant Episcopal Church." Mr. Asbury was much afflicted 
by this and similar cases within his field of labour." And in con- 
versation, the propriety of a rule to meet such cases, was sug- 
gested : 

" So you would limit the stationing power?" pleasantly inquired 
the Bishop. 

"Nay, we would give strength and energy to the stationing 
p^oj^ej," it was replied. 

At the next General Conference, the subject was introduced, and 
a rule, as it now stands, was incorporated in the Discipline. The 
measure met with strong opposition at first, in the Conference ; but 
it had strong friends in George Dougherty and Jesse Lee, and it 
passed. It is believed to have been generally good in its practical 
results. 

It has ever been one of the distinguishing and prominent doc- 
trines of Methodism, that " we have no power to do good works, 
pleasant and acceptable to God, without the grace of God by Christ 
preventing us, that we may have a good will, and working with us 
when we have that good will." An effort, the offspring of ignorance, 
but without any desire to change or modify the doctrine of the article, 
was made during the session, to alter the phraseology of this fun- 



* Rev. Aaron Hunt. See letter in Christian Advocate and Journal, under 
date of "March 3, 1844." 



405 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



damentai feature of our religious creed. A member, not having the 
fear or the knowledge of latin before his eyes, gravely offered a reso- 
lution to substitute assisting for "preventing," in the language of the 
eighth article. We do not know that the proposition had a second, 
but it certainly met with very little favour; and received the 
decided and strong opposition of many, especially of Dr. Coke. 
Tradition affirms that its introduction took the Doctor so entirely 
by surprise, that, with his shrill, piercing voice, he cried out, " The 
Brother's a fool!" But, whether tradition be right or wrong in 
this matter, history informs us he, with great show of learning and 
strong powers of reasoning, maintained both the propriety of the 
language and the integrity of the article, as an exponent of our 
doctrinal belief, and as an essential element of all sound and saving 
experience of the true grace of God. " The grace of God by 
Christ assisting us" is, in its appropriate position in the religious 
system, "a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort." 
But, as a substitute for the precise language of the article, it neither 
magnifies " the grace of God," in originating " a. good will" in us, 
nor meets the necessities of our fallen nature, in its utter destitution 
of that " good will," and its entire dependence upon God for its 
production, perfection, and permanence. In the absence of the 
term employed in the article, and the standard of doctrine it erects 
and maintains, we might be justly chargeable with holding and 
teaching the absurd and heretical doctrines of " the merit of good 
works," and " the moral ability of man" to perform " all the deeds 
of the law." But, apart from that great central truth of our doc- 
trinal system — justification by faith alone — our articles take espe- 
cial pains to confute both of these heresies, and deny to each of 
them a solitary particle of ground whereon to place the sole of its 
foot. In the truth of this doctrine, that God gives us " a good 
will," and " works with us, when we have that good will," we are 
equallv removed from "the high mystery of predestination," and 
the "vain talk" of the self-conceited Pelagian. Indeed, we are 
between the two, calmly and confidently within the shadow of the 
.cross. 

Heretofore the publishing business of the Church had been con- 
ducted in Philadelphia. Of its condition, and the extent of its 
business transactions, we know very little. Its catalogue of books 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



409 



was limited, but excellent ; and there was a very commendable 
zeal manifested in their circulation. It was unquestionably 
prosperous, and rapidly growing into importance. In the absence 
of other evidence of these things, it is enough to know the Con- 
ference determined to transfer the establishment to New York; 
and after reappointing the Rev. Ezekiel Cooper, who had occupied 
the post since the death of Mr. Dickens, to the superintendency of 
its affairs, they also gave him a colleague, the Rev. J. Wilson, to 
assist in its management. We perceive in these things signs of 
prosperity ; and its subsequent history, if written out, would 
furnish a lucid exhibition of the process by which, in trade as in 
religion, " a little one becomes a thousand ; and a small one, a 
great nation." The importance of this establishment, as an aux- 
iliary to Methodism in its noble efforts to spread scriptural holiness 
in the earth, can never be too highly, or even fully estimated. It 
has gathered a great multitude of matured intellects and ripened 
spirits for the harvests of earth, and the triumphs of heaven. 

Many other matters of historical interest were enacted at this 
Conference ; but they are so fully presented in other works on 
Methodism, that we may safely omit them here. In concluding 
our notice of it, we may introduce Mr. Lee in a character more 
congenial with his feelings than the press of business and the 
strife of debate ; although in these, as in other things, he met all 
his responsibilities, and cheerfully filled up the measure of his 
duties : — There was little or no religious quickening during the 
session. This was a grief and a trouble to his righteous soul. 
Fie thought, and he was probably correct, he saw a cause for this 
in the fact, that, departing from its former course, the Conference 
had thrown open its doors to the people ; and they preferred rather 
to listen to the debates of the body, than to hear words of life and 
salvation in the Church. And so marked was this preference, and 
possibly it v/as deemed s*j injurious, that, after a few days, the 
doors were closed, and the old plan resumed. On the whole, it 
was a barren season ; no seed of the Word of God sprung up in 
newness of life ; and no fruit unto holiness was gathered ; and he 
mourned over the " barrenness" of the meeting, with a true sin- 
cerity of sorrow. 

But the religious dearth of the. Conference was not characteristic 



410 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



of the condition of the Church. On other fields she was 
" thrusting in the sickle, for the harvest was ripe." Revivals 
were frequent, and mighty through God, to the pulling down of 
strong holds. Methodism was filling its old grounds with the 
beauty of holiness ; and, keeping pace with the tread of the 
emigrant in the wilds of the west, it preached to him there, in 
the rude cabin, in the forest shade, and by the way-side, " the 
unsearchable riches of Christ," as the Saviour of them that trust 
in Him. These pioneers of religion have made that land to rejoice 
and blossom as the rose ; and their names deserve to be enrolled 
high up on the brightest escutcheon of its fame. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



411 



CHAPTER XI. 

FROM THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1804, TO THE GENE- 
RAL CONFERENCE OF 1808. 

Christian Activity — Lunatic Asylum at Williamsburg — A great Camp-Meeting 
— Conference in North Carolina — Mecklenburg Circuit — Authorship of Mr. 
Lee — State of Printing — Attends Conference in Norfolk — A Revival — Ame- 
lia Circuit — A Case of Suffering — Strange Scenes at a Camp-Meeting — 
Presbyterian Extravagance — A Trance — Reflections — Death of Bishop What- 
coat — Mr. Lee's Tribute to his Memory— Official Testimonial of his Excel- 
lence — Conference in Newbern — Mr. Lee defeats a Measure for holding an 
Extra General Conference — Revisits the South — Forms the first Society in 
Savannah — Last Visit to the Orphan House — Travels in Georgia — Prayer in 
the Woods of Florida — Virginia Conference in Lynchburg — Measures for a 
Delegated General Conference — Anecdotes — Cumberland Circuit — Scene at 
Home — General Conference of 1808 — Absence of Dr. Coke — Proceedings in 
his Case — His Letter to Bishop White condemned, and justly — Election of a 
Bishop — Provision for a Delegated General Conference — Mr. Lee's early 
Movement upon this Subject — Committee's Report — Restrictive Regulations 
defeated by Mr. Lee — Reconsidered, reported, and adopted — Anecdote — Pre- 
siding Elder Question — Section on Slavery left out of the Discipline — Re- 
flections. 

Inactivity is incompatible with Christianity. It formed no part 
of the character of those holy men whose names are inscribed so 
illustriously upon the bright pages of our early Church history. 
The requirement — " never be unemployed ; never be triflingly em- 
ployed," — was a rule of life to the fathers of Methodism. They 
were truly wayfaring men : here to-day, gone to-morrow ; but 
always and everywhere toiling, with a most self-consuming care 
and zeal " to do good, and to communicate" to old and young, 
" the comfort wherewith they themselves were comforted of God." 
In the front rank of these mighty men of old, Mr. Lee occupied a 
noble position. He was always busy. The idea of rusting out — 
of passing through life, and going down to the grave, without 
leaving a mark upon society for usefulness and glory, was a horror 
to him. His motto, and his life attested its pertinency, was : — " Let 
me ivear out in the service of souls, rather than rust out in sloth 



412 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



and self-indulgence." He lived up to the fullest measure of duty 
this rule could impose upon him ; and, what to a slothful man 
would seem the greatest mystery of such a life, he found his su- 
premest happiness in devotion to duties that exacted all his time, 
and gave exercise to all his faculties of " soul, body, and spirit." 
In the highest and holiest sense of the term, " he was not his own : 
he had been bought with the precious blood of Christ ;" and there- 
fore he would, to the utmost of his power, " glorify Christ in his 
body and spirit, which were His." And faithfully and truly did he 
strive to give the fullest proof of this self-consecration. His circuit 
would furnish an ample field for the employment of his energies in 
the service of Christ. 

Leaving Baltimore after the General Conference, Mr. Lee re- 
turned to his circuit.* Superadded to his regular ministerial en- 
gagements, he employed some portion of his time in preparing the 
Life of his brother for the press. This work was published about 
the close of the following year. Very little can be said of the lite- 
rary excellency of this small work ; yet, as a record of simple faith, 
earnest zeal to save souls, and eminent success in a brief, de- 
voted, and effectual ministry, it is not without merit and in- 
terest. In the preceding chapter, we have given a comprehen- 
sive summary of the life and death of this devoted servant of God. 
His record is on high ; and, though dead, in the narrative of his 
faithful labours, his warm-hearted and cheerful piety, his pa- 
tience in suffering, and his triumph in death, he yet speaketh 
words of encouragement and comfort to such as are striving, even 
through much tribulation, to enter into the Kingdom of God. Soon 
after his return to the circuit, Mr. Lee preached in Williamsburg, 
and, as was his custom of taking observations of every subject of 
interest within his reach, visited the Lunatic Asylum in the place. 
His record of this visit, aside from his remarks respecting it, will 
serve to show the condition of an Institution still existing, and 
greatly improved in all the facilities for promoting the comfort of a 
most unfortunate class of human beings. Then, as now, it is an 

* The Rev. M. Thrift, in his Memoirs, places Mr. Lee on Williamsburg 
circuit. The Minutes for the year put him in Petersburg. It is probable he 
spent, by appointment, six months in each. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



413 



honour to the state, and an incalculable blessing to society. He 
writes : 

" After preaching and meeting the class, I went with a few 
friends to the hospital for lunatics; at which place twenty-nine 
persons were confined. I saw most of them. Some were in the 
yard, some in their rooms, and some closely confined in their cells. 
I was much pleased to find everything so neat and cleanly in their 
apartments. None of those I saw were violent or outrageous ; 
some walked about in pensive dejection, and others were cheerful 
and merry, but at times would show marks of insanity. I saw one 
woman reading her Bible in the German language. I spoke to her 
in German, and she seemed pleased, and began to converse freely and 
sensibly. While I stayed I saw no evidence of melancholy or vio- 
lence in her, although I understood she had frequent fits of insanity." 

The Asylum has vastly improved in the capacity of its accom- 
modations, the nature of its internal government, and in the mode 
of treatment pursued towards its patients. Of the many (in 184T, 
one hundred and sixty) subjects now under treatment there, nearly 
all of them attend religious worship on the Sabbath, and with only 
an occasional exception, deport themselves with the utmost gravity 
of decorum. Moral means, with kind and gentle treament, are 
brought to bear with all the impressiveness of their united influence 
upon a malady more to be pitied and deplored, than any other with 
which humanity is afflicted. A lunatic asylum is one of the great- 
est trophies of the active and manifested benevolence of Christi- 
anity. It is monumental of charity — the first-born and fairest 
offspring of pure religion. 

Whether the conjecture advanced in the preceding note be cor- 
rect or not, it is quite certain Mr. Lee did not remain on this cir- 
cuit during the year. In July, his health having partially failed, 
he visited the Sweet Springs, in the county of Greenbriar, Virginia. 
On his way thither he spent a few days at his father's ; and also 
attended a camp-meeting in the Amelia circuit. In each of these 
he found means and opportunities of " making full proof of his 
ministry," and thereby adding glory to the Redeemer of men, and 
also to his own joy of doing good. He returned from the Springs 
in October, and finding the Rev. D. Hall too unwell to attend to 
the duties of the district, he consented, during his indisposition, to 



414 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



supply his place. In this labour, and in the pastoral oversight of 
the Society in Petersburg, he filled up his time until the close of 
the Ecclesiastical year. On this district, and about the period now 
before us, a camp-meeting was held in the vicinity of Suffolk, the 
fame and effects of which have extended down to the present times. 
Mr. Hall presided over the meeting, and from its commencement to 
its close it was attended by the most signal and gracious manifes- 
tations of spiritual power. W ithin the four days of its continu- 




ance, nearly four hundred persons were brought into the liberty 
wherewith Christ makes His people free, and with thankful hearts 
returned to their homes, renewed in the spirit of their minds, and 
rejoicing in hope of eternal life. This was, perhaps, the most suc- 
cessful meeting of the kind ever yet held. Mr. Lee, in noticing it, 
says, " The accounts from the meeting appear to be incredible to those 
who were not present; but those who were eye and ear-witnesses, 
think it to be too great to be sufficiently described." The memory 
of that meeting is still cherished, " as ointment poured forth," in 
the hearts of the descendants of those who then first learned to live, 
and lived, even down to the grave, in the ever Accumulating strength 
of their first love. Other meetings, not powerful as this, but full 
of interest, and of great benefit to the Church of Christ, were also 
held in different parts of the Conference ; and contributed, each in 
its measure, to augment the success with which God so mercifully 
vouchsafed to visit and crown the laborious diligence of his ser- 
vants. 

From scenes like these, and full of their spirit, the ministers 
went up to their Annual Meeting. The Conference w r as held at 
Edmund Taylor's, Granville county, North Carolina, on the first 
of March, 1805, and continued in session one week. It was a 
gathering of holy men. And the High and Holy One, in whose 
name they assembled, met with them, and breathed His blessing 
upon them. Fourteen candidates for the ministry were received 
on trial, four located, none had died, or proved unfaithful; and all* 
seemed to be living in daily preparation for " the time of their 
departure." The year had been a most successful one. From 
nearly every pastoral field the good tidings of a gracious revival 
of religion came up to encourage and edify the body. On sum- 
ming up the result of the year's work in accessions to the Church, 




THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



415 



it was found that nineteen hundred had been added to the number 
of them that believe.* This was a blessed result of the labours 
of the Conference. The Virginia Conference at this time was 
composed of four districts,")" thirty-three appointments, and fifty- 
ministers, and a membership, including the increase of the year, 
'of 14,247 whites, and 3,573 coloured. The increase, if we may 
so compute it, would give an average of 490 to each district, 57 to 
each circuit and station, and 38 to each minister. Such success would 
be a matter of devout, rejoicing to every true minister of Jesus Christ. 
And yet, in every just and sober view of the subject, it is surprising 
that a much greater average is not found to be the annual result of 
ministerial labour. His calling is to save souls. In a just and 
proper sense all the provisions and appliances of the gospel are 
subject to him, and available for this very purpose. What then 
doth hinder success? This question is full of interest. The 
gospel is the power of God unto salvation. If it brings no salva- 
tion through our preaching of it, may we not properly seek for 
the cause 1 Can a minister of Jesus Christ be satisfied and happy 
without success in saving souls ? Is not ease, under such circum- 
stances, reprehensible ? and contentment a crime against that love 
of God in Christ, which would " have all men to be saved, and to 
come to the knowledge of the truth ?" 

The field of labour assigned to Mr. Lee for the year 1805, was • 
Mecklenburg circuit. And yet he did not enter upon his work 
until the 9th of the ensuing November. This fact, considering 
the zeal which he always evinced in his work, is as singular, as 
the circumstances that caused it will, in the present condition of 
literature, seem to be novel and extraordinary. He had completed 
the Life of his brother ; and must needs go north to publish it. 
And it will serve to show the condition of " the art of printing" 

* Mr. Thrift, and Bishop Asbury, each give this as the number added to the 
Church. The Annual Minutes, however, show a decrease of 184, coloured, and 
an increase of 865, whites ; a total or nett increase of only 681. There must be 
a mistake in the printed Minutes. 

t Salisbury and Newbern, in North Carolina; and Norfolk and Richmond, 
in Virginia. These bounds now comprise two Conferences, eleven districts, 
one hundred and fifteen circuits and stations, one hundred and seventy-two 
effective ministers, and 58,654 members. 



416 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



books, when it is stated he was occupied from the early spring 
until late in autumn, in bringing through the press a small volume 
of one hundred and eighty pages ; and in size no larger than the 
ordinary book of Discipline as now published by the Church. In 
the present state of printing, it is a marvel and a mystery that so 
much time could be employed in doing so small an amount of 
work. As the most of the volume is composed of extracts from 
his brother's Journal, and as there is a very frequent use of the 
personal pronoun, first person, singular number, it may have been 
on this occasion, and it will also illustrate the state of the art, that 
Mr. Lee dryly remarked of the office, that he had " put out all the 
printer's Ps." The searchy of this letter may have to bear some 
of the responsibility of so great a consumption of time. 

How, during this long absence from his appropriate work, Mr. 
Lee employed his time, beyond the supervision of the press, we are 
not informed ;* nor even of the nature of his labours, aside from 
ordinary circuit engagements, after his return. Of course, under 
such circumstances, we could not anticipate success in doing good 
among his flock, and should feel sorrow, unmixed with surprise, 
however, to find much of evil existing among them. Any amount 
of good, or the presence of only a very small amount of evil, 
would, no doubt, have furnished him an occasion of grateful joy on 
his return. Although he could not recover the time lost from his 
appropriate field of toil, yet he might, and dicl, improve each 
passing moment, and every opportunity to make everything straight, 
and to " strengthen the things that remained, and that (perhaps) 
were ready to die." While, therefore, when he took his place in 
Conference, others were reporting their success in the great work 
of filling the Church of God with precious stones, until the nett 
addition amounted to 2425, he was shut up to the humiliation and 
sorrow of exhibiting a decrease of five white, and one coloured 
person. He might have thanked God that it was no worse. 

The Conference for 1806 was held in Norfolk, on the 14th of 
February. The year just closed had been a very successful one. 

* We only know he attended a camp-meeting at Duck Creek Cross Roads, 
in Delaware. In his History, p. 308, he gives a very interesting account of 
this meeting. Sixty-eight ministers were present, and more than two hundred 
souls were converted. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



417 



There had been a clear gain to the Church of 1450 white, and 
975 coloured members. And from the fields whereon these mighty 
works had been accomplished, fourteen young men had come up 
to consecrate themselves to God in the holy work of the ministry. 
There was also a good work of grace in Norfolk and Portsmouth, 
during the Conference. In the former place, the revival com- 
menced under a sermon preached by the Rev. P. Bruce, on 1 Cor. 
i. 18 ; and in the latter, it seems to have begun, or been powerfully 
augmented, under a sermon of Mr. Lee, from Amos ii. 7. During 
the Conference, in the two places, eighty souls were happily saved 
from the error of their ways, and brought into the blessedness of 
being justified freely, through the redemption that is in Christ 
Jesus. Of one item of the business transacted at this Conference, 
Bishop x\sbury gives us the following curious account : " One 
member opposed all petitions from the people for Conference sit- 
tings. He also condemned ail epistles from sister Conferences, as 
being too long ana pompous, and as likely to make innovations. 
He dictated an epistle himself, by way of example, to show how- 
epistles ought to be written. The Committee of Addresses wrote 
one, too; but it was rejected, as being too much like that of the 
objecting member, whose epistle was rejected as being too much 
like himself. The Conference voted that none should be sent. 
Strange," says the Bishop, " that such an affair should occupy the 
time of so many good men ! W R eligion will do ffireat things ; but jt 
does not make Solomons." This extract will show, what the 
reader of his Journal will be at no loss to discover, that, with all 
his gravity of character, Bishop Asbury had a very strong sense, 
as well as a clear perception, of the ridiculous. 

At the close of Conference, Mr. Lee was appointed to the Amelia 
lia circuit, and he soon entered upon the performance of his duties. 
His Journal is replete with notices of good meetings, and cheering 
success in the great work to which his heart was so strongly wedded. 
A few incidents, however, selected from an inviting and well furnished 
storehouse, is all that our limits will allow. He was now in the 
forty-ninth year of his age ; and it was a subject of sober reflec- 
tion that he had entered " the sere and yellow leaf" of life. Gray 
hairs were on his head, and his eyes were growing dim. Yet he 
was upborne bv the hope that, as he " advanced in life, he was also 
27* 



418 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



growing in grace." If he was even tempted to repine at these indica- 
tions of age and feebleness when the strong man is brought low, 
we may well suppose he was relieved and comforted by a contrast 
with which he became acquainted in one of his pastoral visits. At 
one of his preaching-places, after mentioning "a happy little meet- 
ing," he records the following account of the affliction of the head 
of the family : " It had been twenty-one years since he was on his 
/ feet. He is perfectly stiff, from his head to his feet. He can 
/ move his toes, has a tolerably good use of one arm, and can use 
7 the other a little, but cannot raise it to his head. He has the use 
\ of ill his senses, but cannot move his head in any direction. He 
C lies on his back continually, and has no power to change his pos- 
f ture, or to rest a weary limb. However, he has a hickory withe 
suspended over his bed ; and, by taking hold of it, he can raise 
himself, and find a little relief and rest. He reads, sings, talks, 
\ and shouts the praise of God with great solemnity." Indeed, he 
was a devout and rejoicing Christian. How rrfighty is faith ; and 
how sovereign a balm for all our woes, is the grace of our Lord 
Jesus Christ ! In the long years of this severe affliction, how 
blissful must have been the anticipation of the ceaseless and unre- 
strained freedom of the city of God ! Who could think of age, and 
decline of vision, in the presence of these master manifestations of 
" suffering affliction and patience ?" The pastor had sorrow and 
sympathy for his member ; but, in the greater griefs of his brother, 
he forgot his own. 

In May, a camp-meeting was held at Olive Branch, in Bruns- 
wick. It was well attended, and successful in the conversion of 
souls ; it was, however, in the judgment of Mr. Lee, injured in its 
fruitfulness of good, by a cause that we must allow him to relate 
in his own words : 

" One circumstance contributed not a little to interrupt the har- 
mony of the meeting, and retard the progress of the work, which 
was the wild enthusiasm displayed by a certain female not a mem- 
ber of our Church. Her exercises were such as to attract the 
attention of all present, and were of a character novel enough to 
do so; for she exhibited at some times the jerking exercise, at 
other times the dancing exercise, and not unfrequently the basking 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



419 



exercise ; and taking them altogether, made as ridiculous a set of 
exercises as ever attracted the gaze of a multitude." 

The language of the narrative will show the opposition of Mr. 
Lee to all such extravagances in the worship of God. To a full, 
responsible amen, a swelling shout of praise, or a burst of deep and 
strong emotion, he interposed no objection ; indeed, he could sym- 
pathize with and unite in such manifestations of religious feeling. 
But he could not tolerate such improprieties as were exhibited on 
this occasion ; and he attempted its correction then, and its preven- 
tion for the future. The fact that the individual was " not a mem- 
ber of our Church," will authorize the remark, and a multitude of 
other facts will plead its justification, that in times of revival the 
Methodists are often censured for extravagances committed under 
precisely the same circumstances, in this respect, with the one men- 
tioned in the text. Indeed, in the period we are now examining, 
these exercises, as they were called, especially the "jerking," and 
" dancing," we cannot comprehend the basking, exercise, were 
more common among the Baptists and Presbyterians, than the 
Methodists. The original records of these times will show frequent 
complainings on the part of our ministers on this very subject. 
We have given one; here is another, in a letter from the Rev. 
Joseph Moore to the subject of these memoirs. It is a more singular 
and offensive picture than the one drawn by Mr. Lee, and what is 
.perhaps the most humiliating view of the whole matter is, that its 
truth is beyond question. The original letter is now in our pos- 
session. 

" May 16th, 1806. 

" Some of the Presbyterians got into some extremes, and brought 
a reproach upon the good work. They got into what they called 
the dancing exercise, marrying exercise, &c. Sometimes a whole 
set of them would get together and begin dancing, about at a most 
extravagant rate. Sometimes they would be exercised about getting 
married, and one would tell another he or she had a particular 
revelation that they must be married ; and if the one thus addressed 
did not consent, he or she must expect to be damned. 

" Thus many got married, and it was said some old maids who i 
had nearly gotten antiquated, managed in this way to get husbands. 

" But this was condemned by the more sober part among Presby- 
terians and Methodists, and it has now nearly subsided." 



120 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



This is a sad picture. Whether the " and so forth''' of Mr. 
Moore comprehended anything as bad or worse than these " ex- 
ercises." we need not stay to inquire. The mere recital is suffi- 
ciently revolting without any embellishment : and yet the truth of 
history, especially as it is designed to teach us the way to perfec- 
tion in self-government, demanded the exposition. There can be no 
doubt of the correctness of this statement : and the only drawback 
to the interest of the warning it conveys, and perhaps that is not 
really to be regretted, is the fact, that the letter gives no " local 
habitation" to the scenes it describes. In 1805, Mr. Moore tra- 
velled the Amelia circuit, now filled by Mr. Lee. At the Confer- 
ence of 1S06, he located. Where he settled, and of what locality 
he wrote, we know not. But of the genuineness of his letter, and 
the truth of his statements, there is no reasonable room for doubt. 

As a fact in the history of these times, it may be stated, upon the 
authority of Mr. Lee,* that at two camp-meetings held during this 
year, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and Virginia, upwards of 
two thousand souls professed to find " the pearl of great price." 
The first of these meetings continued five days : and resulted, ac- 
cording to ministers present, and afrer great efforts to ascertain the 
correct number, in the conversion of one thousand souls. And at 
?he second meeting, even a greater number professed conversion . 
Revivals of great power, and productive of great good to the Church, 
were characteristic of this year, and make it in many respects to 
be gratefully remembered. 

There are marvels in religious history and experience, which 
philosophy cannot explain, and for which, beyond the mere refer- 
ence to supernatural influence, the gospel furnishes no solution. 
In a popular sense, " the age of miracles is past ;" but facts are con- 
stantly occurring to confound all established experience, and put 
our boasted reasoning powers at fault. Even faith treads softly 
amidst these religious phenomena, dreading to believe too much, 
and fearing to believe too little. A case full of marvel, and not 
without interest to those fond of investigating the laws of our intel- 
lectual and physical constitution, especially as they are adapted to, 
and under the influence of our spiritual nature, is recorded by Mr. 



His:. Me :h- S11-2C 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 421 

Lee. Wishing the case to stand just as it appeared to him, we pre- 
sent it in his own simple, but accurate language : 

" The case of a young woman, N W , being very sin- 
gular, I will here set down some account of it. At this meeting* 
on Sunday night, she fell down, and lay helpless: they took her 
into a tent, and set up with her all night ; she continued helpless 
and speechless, all the time. Next morning I had a teaspoonful 
of water given her. About nine o'clock in the forenoon she revived,, 
and said, Love, love, love ! Glory, glory, glory ! and then died 
away again, and appeared like a person in a sweet sleep. In the 
afternoon she was taken home in a wagon, but remained as she 
had been before. Her parents, fearing that there might be some 
bodily complaint attending her, sent for a physician, who came, 
and then sent for another. The physicians both agreed, that they 
could not perceive that she had any bodily complaint, believing it to 
be a supernatural power. They did not attempt to do much for 
her, only took a little blood, gave a few reviving drops, and put a 
small blister on the back part of her neck, but took it off in a little 
time. One of the physicians continued with her until the following 
Sunday, but saw very little alteration. She continued thus until 
Tuesday night, at which time she revived, and spoke freely and sen- 
sibly, though apparently in a weak and feeble state. The next day 
she went about the house, and out of doors, just as she pleased, and 
was quite well and happy in God. She had been in that state from 
Sunday night, until the next Tuesday night week, which was nine 
days and nights. I understood that during that time, she ate no- 
thing except such things as were poured into her mouth, and she 
took but very little of that. She was, for the most part of the time, 
sensible of everything that was said or done to her in her presence. 
For some days before she revived, she knew all her friends that 
came to see her, and would answer any question by a nod or shake 
of the head, and in some cases would hold out her hand to a friend ; 
when spoken to about the state of her soul, and asked if she was 
happy, she would move her head by way of assent, and raise her 
syes, and the tears would flow down her cheeks, which satisfied 

* A camp-meeting at Hobbs's Meeting- House, Brunswick county, Va., Oc- 
tober 10th, 1806. 



422 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



her friends that she was converted. After she regained her strength, 
she said that the Lord blessed and converted her soul on the Mon- 
day after she was struck down, at which time she spoke, and 
shouted, Love ! love ! love ! glory ! glory ! glory ! I saw her soon 
after she recovered from this ecstasy, and took her into Society, 
and had no doubt but she was truly happy in God. Many people 
who visited her in her helpless condition, were deeply affected, and 
some of them were brought to think more seriously about their 
souls. Such a strange circumstance I do not remember to have 
known or read of before; and yet there was nothing^like a trance, 
or any particular discovery of the other world professed by her." 

Now by whatever method we may attempt to account for this 
occurrence, whether we trace it to natural or moral causes, to the 
suspension of nervous susceptibility, or directty to the overwhelm- 
ing power of spiritual influence, in either case we are compelled to 
admit the existence of the fact, detailed as it is by an eye-witness. 
With the fact as the basis of our inquiries, we may safely leave 
those who prefer it, to empty speculations and unsatisfying conclu- 
sions. Our solution, ascribing it unquestionably to supernatural 
influence, is reached by a shorter path and a directer way. Taking 
all the parts of it together, we can conceive of nothing short of 
" the great power of God" to meet the demands of the case. Re- 
posing upon that Power, every question may be answered, every 
difficulty solved. 

In winding up the affairs of the circuit, preparatory to his 
departure for Conference, Mr. Lee enjoyed the consciousness of 
having filled the measure of his duty to the people of his pastoral 
care ; and he left them at peace among themselves, active in works 
of piety, and progressing in knowledge and holiness. The year 
now closing had left on the heart of the Church a sad memorial 
of its course. Bishop Whatcoat, than whom, perhaps, a more 
excellent man never lived, had departed out of a land that is 
polluted, to "a good land," where sorrows do not come, and the 
sky is always bright. He closed his useful and holy life on the 
5th of July, 1806, at the residence of Richard Bassett, Esq.„ 
Dover, Delaware, after intense suffering for thirteen weeks, — " a 
prodigy of pain and patience." For the annexed condensed 
abstract of his life and character, we are indebted to Mr. Lee : 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



423 



" Richard Whatcoat was born in Gloucestershire, England, in 
1736. He became a Travelling Preacher in 1769, and for fifteen 
years travelled extensively through England and Ireland. He 
came to the United States in 1784 ; and at the Christmas Con- 
ference the same year, assisted at the consecration of Bishop 
Asbury to the Episcopal Office. He laboured in America thence- 
forth until his work was finished. In May 1800, he was elected 
Bishop of the M. E. Church, entered at once upon his Episcopal 
duties, and continued in them with accumulating usefulness until 
within a few weeks previous to his last illness. 

" He was a pattern of piety and patience ; his moderation was 
known unto all men. He was always serious and solemn, and 
seldom complained of any difficulties he met with. He was an 
excellent preacher, sound in doctrine, and clear and plain in his 
explanations of the Scriptures. 

" He might be ranked as the best of men, for meekness and pa- 
tience, humility and sobriety ; for watchfulness over his words, and 
for a smooth and even temper; and, withal, for gifts and animation in 
preaching ; especially in the latter part of his life. In his death the 
Preachers have lost a pattern of piety, and the people an able teacher." 

This is no strained eulogy. It is the spontaneous tribute of 
respect and affection to exalted worth and real excellence of cha- 
racter. We record it with a sincere gratification, particularly as it 
exhibits Mr. Lee in a new and engaging aspect of character, as 
free from jealousy of one who " was preferred before" him ; and as 
it confirms an opinion heretofore hinted at, that that preference left no 
feeling behind it that could find food in envy and uncharitableness. 
Indeed, if the feeling had ever betrayed a symptom of life, it would 
soon have perished in a heart from which malignity and selfishness 
had long since been expelled by sanctifying grace and perfect love. 

We have seen an individual testimonial of the Bishop's charac- 
ter : it will not be out of place to insert here the voice of the 
Church respecting the high moral and official integrity of her de- 
parted Chief Pastor. After a comprehensive notice of his life and 
eminent public services, the official Memoir says : " We will not 
use many words to describe this almxst inimitable man : So deeply 
serious! Who ever saw him trifling or light? Who ever heard 
him speak evil of any person ? nay, who ever heard him speak an 



424 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



idle word ? Dead to envy, pride, and praise. Sober without sad- 
ness, cheerful without levity, careful without covetousness, and 
decent without pride. He died not possessed of property sufficient 
to have paid the expenses of his sickness and funeral, if a charge 
had been made ; so dead was he to the world !" " In life and 
death, placid and calm ; as he lived, so he died," in full assurance 
of a joyous and glorious immortality. Is not this the description 
of " a perfect man ?" One fact will explain all these moral excel- 
lences : — for forty-five years he had professed to be sanctified ; and 
his life and conversation had borne a united and unvarying testimony 
of his uprightness and purity, and of the possession of " that per- 
fect love that casteth out all fear !" Such a life could not have 
ended otherwise than in quiet joy and holy delight. He lived in 
humility among men : he veils his face in the presence of the 
angels of God ! Heaven must have felt a new rapture when he 
sat down among the Elders. 

In February 1807, the Virginia Conference met, for the first 
time, in Newbern, North Carolina. About sixty Ministers were in 
attendance. The word was preached in faith and purity ; and 
about " twenty whites, and as many blacks, were converted." 
During the year, there had been very general and powerful re- 
vivals of religion throughout the Conference; and, as a natural 
result, there was a considerable accession to the membership 
of the Church. Bishop Asbury puts down the number as 3159; 
and remarks : " These blessings on our labours pay all expenses, 
and reward all our toils in the midst of sufFering." It was here 
Mr. Lee defeated a measure to hold a delegated General Conference 
in Baltimore, in 1807, for the purpose of electing an additional 
Bishop. It had been suggested, at the Baltimore Conference of 
1806, and adopted by several others, previous to the death of 
Bishop Whatcoat ; but in view of his rapidly failing health, and the 
consequently augmented duties of Bishop Asbury. It was a 
favourite measure of the Senior Bishop ; and had been presented 
and adopted by all the Conferences except the Virginia. When 
the subject was first brought forward at the Baltimore Conference, 
its success was made to depend upon the united recommendations 
of all the Annual Conferences. Mr. Lee, for reasons which may 
be given when reviewing the General Conference of 1808, in its 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



425 



measures to establish a delegated supreme judicatory of the Church, 
was decidedly opposed to this attempt to interfere with the preroga- 
tives of the constitutional body, which would meet within the ensuing- 
year ; and, therefore, he resisted it with his utmost strength, and 
succeeded in carrying a majority against it. Its failure here settled 
its fate ; and the Church fell back upon its chartered rights, and 
looked with hope, not unmingled with anxiety, to the regular session 
of its quadrennial Conference, to meet the emergency, now con- 
summated in the death of the Bishop, the anticipation of which 
had occasioned an extreme act of legislation. " This defeat of a 
favourite project, so feasible in itself, and apparently so necessary 
to the prosperity of the Church and the perpetuity of her institu- 
tions, was a source of great grief to Bishop Asbury, as well as of 
regret to those who had concurred in his views."* What was 
l ' apparently so necessary," in this measure, to the Bishop and its 
friends, was really unnecessary in the judgment of Mr. Lee ; and, 
therefore, as honestly, and with as sincere a regard for the pros- 
perity of the Church, &c, and without any wish or purpose to 
grieve any one, he met it with a manly and decided opposition ; 
and it perished like an untimely birth. f It was, perhaps, in refe- 
rence to this defeat, that the Journal of the Bishop, at the Virginia 
Conference, shows a seeming struggle between the desire to speak, 
and the determination to be silent ; which was finally compromised 
by the utterance of the significantly ambiguous sentence, " much 
might be said !" though nothing was said : a decision that, consi- 
dering the relation of the Bishop to the subject, and all the parties 
connected with it, furnishes another illustration of the good sense 
that forms so distinguishing a feature of his character. 

* Dr. Bangs, Hist. M. E. Church, vol. ii. pp. 177-8. 

t In his History, p. 345, Mr. Lee makes the following remarks. " This plan 
was adopted by four of the Conferences, viz: New York, New England, the 
Western, and South Carolina Conferences ; and delegates were accordingly 
chosen. But when it was proposed to the Virginia Conference, which met in 
Newbern, in February 1S07, they refused to take it under consideration, and 
rejected it as being pointedly in opposition to all the rules of our Church . The 
Bishop laboured hard to carry the point, but he laboured in vain: and the whole 
business of that dangerous plan was overset by the Virginia Conference. The 
inventors and defenders of that project might have meant well; but they cer- 
tainly erred in judgment." 



426 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



Anxious to revisit scenes in the south, in which, as the companion 
and substitute of Bishop Asbury, he had spent some of his most 
toilsome years, Mr. Lee obtained permission of the Conference for 
this object ; and on its adjournment, in company with the Rev. D. 
Hall, appointed to Columbia, S. C, he entered upon his journey. 
With authority to travel generally, his name, in connexion with 
those of James Russell, and J. Porter, stands on the Minutes for 
Sparta, Ga. It is presumable this was merely a nominal appoint- 
ment. Fie spent a Sabbath in Charleston, and preached three limes, 
and went from thence to Columbia, where he parted with his com- 
panion. Pursuing his course, he reached Savannah on the 13th 
ofAprii; and on Sunday, the 19th, he formed a class, the first 
ever established in the place. We transcribe his own account of 
it. Having no place to preach in the morning of this day, he rode 
to ; White Bluff Meeting-House, seven miles from the city, and 
preached with " a good degree of liberty," on Acts xvii. 27. He 
returned immediately to town, and in the afternoon heard " a beau- 
tiful discourse, and with much life," delivered by the Rev. H. Kol- 
lock, of the Presbyterian Church, on 1 John v. 4." 

"At night, at Mr. Myers', I preached on 1 Peter ii. 5. I had a 
crowded house, and more attended than could get in; many were 
forced to remain out of doors. I preached to them with some free- 
dom, and they fed on the word with much apparent pleasure. All 
were solemn, and some were affected. It was a good time to many 
souls. After I dismissed the congregation I desired that all that 
had been Methodists in other places, and wished again to be in So- 
ciety with us, to remain, and we would form a class. I took four 
of them into a class. There were others present, but I told them 
that 1 did not desire any person to join at that time but such as had 
been formerly in Society with us ; and if any others washed to join, 
they might have an opportunity after a few meetings. This was 
the first class that was ever formed in Savannah. Who knows but 
the Lord will multiply his blessings upon us, and make us a great 
« people in this place, as well as in other places ? At present there 
is a good stir of religion in this town ; other Churches have an 
increase of members." 

As on former occasions, so now, Mr. Lee must needs visit White- 
field's Orphans' House ; and we must be content to accompany 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



427 



him. But the visit, if disagreeable to the reader, will have the 
compound merit of being brief and final. We shall accompany 
him thither no more. Leaving Savannah on the 25th, with two 
companions, and reaching the place, he "was surprised to find how 
it was changed for the worse" since his last visit. Most of the 
buildings had been burned, blank desolation reigned around, and 
decay was silently working its way to the vitals of the establish- 
ment. No school was kept on the premises, nor supported by the 
property of this once world-known and honoured institution. " I 
was sorry," he says, " to see how all the improvements had been 
demolished ; and to think how many thousands of dollars had been 
wasted" here ; " but what else could have been expected when the 
property was left to Lady Huntingdon, a woman who ought never 
to have had the government of the institution. The lady's likeness 
at full length, was in the house ; that I believe was the only thing 
like furniture or ornament that remained, and even that was in a 
shattered condition." The truth is, Mr. Lee was, in the strictest 
sense of the term, a utilitarian, — something Whitefield never was — 
and the thoughtless expenditure of so much time and money as had 
been wasted here, and might have been so much more usefully em- 
ployed, was a grief to him. He seems to have derived a mournful 
pleasure from these opportunities of deploring the good that might 
have been done under wiser plans and more auspicious circum- 
stances. But grief could avail nothing in a case of this kind. Its 
sorrow was without hope. The destiny of the house was sealed. 
It was pressed with the misfortunes it was intended to relieve ; and 
instead of the merry laugh and happy faces of orphan children 
gathered from the desolated hearths of their childhood's home, lank 
ruin revelled in its halls by day, and mournful sounds sighed the 
requiem of its fortunes in the silent watches of the night. Itself 
was in the very loneliness and desertion of orphanage. 

Mr. Lee continued in Georgia until the close of the year. His 
Journals show he was "in labours abundant;" and there are very 
gratifying proofs of success. As in New England, so here he 
found opportunities of carrying the gospel to those who had it not. 
In revisiting places in which he had formerly preached, he men- 
tions with a real pleasure the great and beneficial changes every- 
where observable in the morals and habits of the people. His 



428 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



remarks upon the country, its soil, productiveness, and capabilities 
of sustaining a large population,, and of yielding great wealth to 
honest and careful industry, are replete with interest, and stand 
forth as predictions. We may not follow him through his daily 
toil and nightly rest. A few incidents must answer for all the 
rest. In one of his excursions to form a new field of labour, 
he spent a night with a family residing in an old fort, on 
the bank of St. Mary's River, erected to protect the frontier 
counties from the depredations of the Florida Indians. Florida 
was then a Spanish possession. In the afternoon, in a small boat, 
he crossed the river, went alone into the woods, knelt down, and 
most earnestly implored God to claim the land for His own, to 
send ministers to preach the gospel, and to bless the people with 
the riches of grace and salvation; and there he knelt till his head 
was damp with the dews of heaven; and when he recrossed the 
river, the pale star of evening mirrored in the dark waters of the 
quiet stream the calm and holy serenity of his happy and confiding 
heart. That prayer has long since been answered ; and what was 
then a moral wilderness is now a garden full of fruits and beauti- 
ful with flowers. He attended a camp-meeting, near Sparta, at 
which about eighty souls were converted. There were, at this 
meeting, thirty-six ministers, one hundred and seventy-six tents, 
and about three thousand regular attendants of the word. In Mil- 
ledgeville, during the prevalence of a fatal fever, he was diligent 
in visiting the sick, and offering to them the blessed consolations 
of religion, as a remedy for their spiritual maladies, and a cordial 
for their fears. In this labour of love, he forgot his own dange- 
rous exposure in his anxiety to rescue them that were ready to 
perish ; and in the joyful death of some whom he visited, his own 
faith was strengthened. After a year of severe and unremitting 
labour in this interesting section of the Church, he retraced his 
steps to his native state. Leaving Augusta, Ga., on the 14th 
of December, he reached Charleston, on the 25th, and remained 
until the 14th of January, attending, in the mean time, the sessions 
of the Conference. 

The Virginia Conference for 1808, was held in Lynchburg on 
the 2d of February. Thither Mr. Lee repaired after leaving 
Charleston. Among other matters brought before this session, was 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



429 



a memorial from the New York Conference, bearing date " May 
the 7th, 1807," and addressed to the other Conferences in the Con- 
nection, proposing measures for the composition of a delegated 
General Conference. The memorial was intended to express to 
the General Conference of 1808, the yiews of the Annual Confe- 
rences as to the necessity of such a provision for constituting a 
representative legislative body for the Church. The great prepon- 
derance of two bodies, out of the seven, in the General Conference 
of 1804, had o opened the eyes of the ministry to the importance of 
remedial measures for what might prove an evil and bitter thing 
to the Church. And having been defeated in the attempt to call a 
General Conference, it was now sought to secure the same object 
by a memorial to the regular and legal session of the supreme 
judicatory of Methodism. To such a measure the Virginia Con- 
ference could entertain no objection ; and Mr. Lee, who had 
defeated the movement of the preceding year, had been too long 
an advocate of such a change to breathe a word in opposition to it 
now. When therefore it was introduced, it required but few words 
to explain its object, and the Conference, with great unanimity, 
joined its sister Conferences in the effort to secure a representative 
system of government for the Church. It is believed all the Con- 
ferences adopted this memorial : and thus far the measure may be 
regarded as predetermined when brought up for final action. An 
exact copy of this memorial may be found in Bangs's History of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, vol. ii. pp. 226-8. 

Lynchburg, in the times we write of, was not paved, and its 
streets were sometimes nearly impassable. In retiring from the 
Conference room one day, Mr. Lee, having some business on the 
opposite side of a street along which he was passing, was sadi} 
puzzled to find a crossing-place. After searching for some time, 
and fruitlessly, he paused, and entered into a grave debate with 
himself, whether he should ford the street " knee-deep in mud," or 
abandon the object of his pursuit. In this mood of mind, John 
Charleson,* a stout athletic negro, a preacher, and a great admirer 
of Mr. Lee, came up and took part in the consultation. Ascertain- 

* John had been emancipated by the Rev. Stith Mead ; after which he tra- 
velled extensively, and preached with great acceptability and usefulness. He 
was a sensible man, and a good preacher. 



430 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



ing the difficulty in the case, he proposed to overcome it by taking 
Mr. Lee across on his back. The proffer was instantly agreed to, 
and he mounted the back of his generous friend. Two hundred 
and fifty-nine pounds of living flesh is no small burden for one 
man to bear, but John bore it till he reached the middle of the 
street, where he paused to overcome the attraction of gravitation, 
by shaking his burden higher up on his shoulders. Perspiration 
stood in large beads upon his face, and he groaned audibly. But 
he staggered on, paused, and dryly asked his rider if he might not 
set him down and rest a spell. Gathering up his strength for 
another effort he pressed on, but turning up the corner of his eye 
until it reached the face of Mr. Lee, he groaned out, " Oh wretched 
man that I am, who shall deliver me from this body of death !" 
Quick as thought the response came — " You ' do groan being 
burdened.' " And he was burdened. But dry land was reached, 
and with mutual pleasure they pursued their walk side by side. 

Another incident, characteristic of the times and of Mr. Lee, may 
also be introduced here. The Virginia Conference was so invete- 
rately wedded to old bachelorism, that it was very much like losing 
caste for one of its members to enter into the holy estate of matri- 
mony. At least, the perpetrator of such an offence against usage, 
felt it incumbent upon him to justify his conduct. A case of the 
kind had occurred in the Conference ; and the member stated the 
fact, and gave his reasons for choosing no longer " to be alone." 
Among other things he stated that it had been a subject of serious 
reflection for some time ; he had consulted judicious brethren, and 
made it matter of earnest prayer ; and in view of all the circum- 
stances of the case he felt, it to be his duty, and believed it would be 
better for him ; and therefore he had married. As there was no 
law prohibiting marriage, no offence was committed, and the state- 
ment was gratuitous rather than necessary as a requirement of the 
Conference. But it provoked the pleasantry of Mr. Lee, and 
slowly rising from his seat, he said he was afraid the Brother had 
fallen into a mistake : he had been in that way himself, and would 
like to tell his experience. " I once thought I ought to marry," 
he said, " and I thought a great deal about it too. And I thought 
I must pray about it ; but some how or other I always found 
myself praying ' Oh Lord, let thy will be done — but do let me 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



431 



have the woman !' I wanted the woman, and my prayers always 
ended there. Perhaps the Brother wanted the woman, and she and 
the Lord were willing. But they both opposed me !" The cheer- 
ful laugh that followed this relation of personal experience may 
have derived much of its zest from a consciousness of its general 
applicability to such cases. 

Mr. Lee was appointed to Cumberland circuit. Business called 
htm home for a few days, and he returned to his father's. While 
here, he officiated as priest in the family — baptizing an infant sister. 
It is a somewhat singular fact, that at this very time one of his 
sisters had grandchildren older than this little stranger. His 
father had married three times, and this little one was born unto 
him in the seventy-eighth year of his age. Speaking of this oc- 
currence, he used to say he had two sisters so far from each other 
in the extremes of life that neither had a tooth in her head ! The 
eldest was fifty-five when the youngest was born. 

For some time Mr. Lee had been collecting materials for the 
History of the Methodists, and he was now busily employed in 
arranging and preparing them for the press. This, and his pasto- 
ral duties, occupied him until the period of his departure to the 
General Conference. 

The General Conference of 1808 was in many respects the most 
important yet held in the Church. It was held in Baltimore, com- 
mencing on the 6th and ending on the 20th of May. It was com- 
posed of one hundred and twenty-nine members, representing the 
seven Conferences in the following proportion : Philadelphia, thirty- { 
two ; Baltimore, thirty-one ; Virginia, eighteen ; South Carolina, 
eleven ; Western, eleven ; New York, nineteen ; and New England, 
seven. Nearly one-half of the members were from two Confer- 
ences ; and the union of either of the nearest Conferences with these 
upon anv question would have given them a majority of nearly two- 
thirds of the body. To say the least of it, such a conditon of things 
was not safe. It was time to remodel the Conference. 

For the first, time since the organization of the Church, Dr. Coke ' 
was absent from the General Conference. He had married, and 
was devoting himself to the work of God in England. At the ses- 
sion of 1804. permission had been given to him to return to Eng- 
land, and remain there until the present session, unless previously 



432 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



recalled by three Annual Conferences. In the interval he wrote a 
circular l etter to the Co BferpnceSy proposing to return, on condition 
that the work should be divided, as nearly equally as possible, 
between himself and Bishop Asbury. This was not agreed to, and 
accordingly, under date of November 16th, 1807, he addressed a 
letter to the General Conference, in which, after acknowledging the 
irregularity of his circular letter, he proposes, if he may share the 
rights, powers, and privileges of the Episcopal office, with Bishop 
Asbury, he will " return for life" to America. Or if this should 
not accord with the views of the body, he suggested a mode by 
which his name might be retained in the Minutes, and he continue 
to reside in Europe. This last proposition received the sanction 
of the Conference. There seems to have been a very general dis- 
satisfaction with Dr. Coke. His circular letter, above referred to, 
was one cause of this, but not now the chief one. The letter writ- 
ten to Bishop White, of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in 1791, 
nad been kept profoundly secret until some time in 1804, and since 
then it had come to the knowledge of the Church, and received the 
cordial disapprobation of the entire body. This imprudent letter, 
written without consultation with any one, has been the occasion 
of a great deal of uncircurncised rejoicing on the part of Protestant 
Episcopalians. They have regarded it as a concession of the 
question of the validity of Ordination, and a clear indication of the 
author's consciousness of the defectiveness of his own. These 
assumptions, like the most of those concerning Ordination, are 
wholly gratuitous, and derive no support from the tenor of the let- 
ter, or a just construction of its terms. This is not the place to 
analyze the letter, nor to enter into the controversy it has origina- 
ted. We rather think the two Churches might safely compound 
the matter, and mutually agree to adopt, upon this subject, at least, 
u the doctrine of reserve." For if it be humiliating to Methodism 
that one of its Bishops so far forgot his position and its responsi- 
bilities, as to make such propositions as are contained in this letter, 
it must, upon every principle of delicacy and honour, be as humilia- 
ting to the Episcopal Church that one cf her Bishops should so far 
forget what was due to himself and his office as first to refuse to 
destroy a confidential letter, when so requested, and then subse- 
quently to publish the letter without the knowledge of its "author. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



433 



If Bishop Coke was wrong in writing the letter, Bishop White was 
not right in giving it publicity. Extremes meet in this case ; and 
they demand a generous and magnanimous forbearance. Neither 
party can afford to be insolent. Still, we believe the course of 
Dr. Coke can be vindicated upon higher and stronger grounds 
than can be brought to the justification of Bishop White Leav- 
ing the other party out of the case, we may speak freely of Dr. 
Coke. That his course was highly improper in all its aspects, we 
should not hesitate to affirm, even if we had no authority of his 
own to sustain us in the opinion. But his own concessions, 
upon every point of the controversy, are full and explicit ; and 
his explanations of his views and intentions in the premises, 
have so many proofs of honesty on their face as to leave small 
cause for comfort to those who have made his letter to Bishop 
White the occasion of so much incontinent and wordy declama- 
tion against Methodism. The dissatisfaction in the United States, 
consequent upon the promulgation of this affair, had reached the 
ears of Dr. Coke, and he sat down at once to explain and correct 
whatever was obscure or misunderstood. His letter to the General 
Conference, containing his own version of the affair, as to his desires 
and intentions in seeking the union of the two Churches, and the 
principles upon which it was to be based and regulated, bears the 
date of January 29th, 1808. Its perusal must convince every im- 
partial reader that the proposition is as destitute of any real cause 
to disparage Methodism, as it is of concessions to the pretensions of 
Churchism. It was a simple proposition for Churches equal in 
rights and authority to unite for the purpose of a more general and 
enduring usefulness. This is all that can fairly be made of the 
letter to Bishop White. 

These letters of Dr. Coke were, at the opening of the Genera] 
Conference, referred to a committee, and their report is contained 
in a letter addressed to the Doctor, defining his future relations to 
the Church, and granting full absolution for all his faults in the 
matters referred to. This letter is as creditable to the Conference 
for its style and spirit, as it is complimentary to Dr. Coke for his 
faithful and important services to the Church. The subjoined ex- 
tracts will serve the double purpose of showing the nature of the 
28 



434 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



confessions of the one, and of the temper in which forgiveness was 
meted out by the other : 

" Your two letters were respectfully received, and had a very 
salutary effect upon our minds. The reasons which you have as- 
signed for some former transactions, and the ingenuous candour 
which you have manifested, in frankly acknowledging and declar- 
ing the motives and inducements that led you to those measures ; 
together with your affectionate acknowledgment that in certain 
cases you were mistaken as to your views of some of the points in 
question : as, likewise, your manifest friendship and good-will to 
this Connection and your American brethren, and your evident so- 
licitude to retain a place and standing among us ; taking these 
circumstances collectively, they had a great influence upon some 
of our minds, in removing certain suspicious fears which had 
been imbibed, rather unfavourable to your standing among us. 

" You may be assured that we feel an affectionate regard for 
you ; that we gratefully remember your repeated labours of love 
toward us, and that we sensibly feel our obligations for the ser- 
vices you have rendered us. We hope that no circumstances will 
ever alienate our Christian affection from you, or yours from 
us," &c* 

These paragraphs from a long and affectionate letter will satisfy 
every unprejudiced mind of the fact that the explanations of Dr. 
Coke, especially concerning the letter to Bishop White, were en- 
tirely satisfactory to the Conference; and that, in its judgment, 
there was nothing in the intentions of their absent Bishop to com- 
promise the integrity of the Episcopacy, or to lessen the reputation 
or usefulness of the Church. It was only a mistaken effort to do 
good, the history of which furnishes a singular illustration of mis- 
placed confidence on the one hand, and of that perversity of human 
nature on the other, which, even in good men, forgets the good that 
might have been accomplished, or the evil that really exists, in its 
rejoicings over a seeming concession to the selfishness of sect. 

In the conclusion of the case of Dr. Coke, the Conference, if it 
did not displace him from the office of Superintendent, denied him 
all authority, under existing circumstances, to exercise its functions. 

* For this, and other documents here referred to, see Bangs' s History M. E. 
Church, vol. ii. pp. 196-226. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



435 



Mr. Lee says :* "It was thought best for Dr. Coke to be no longer 
considered as a Superintendent of the Methodists in the United- 
States." The decision is expressed in these words : 

" Dr. Coke's name sha 1 be retained in our Minutes, afV.r the 
name of our Bishops, in a ' N. B. Dr. Coke, at the request of 
the British Conference, and by the consent of our General Con- 
ference, resides in Europe ; he is not to exercise the office of 
Superintendent among us, in the United States, until he be recalled 
by the General Conference, or by all the Annual Conferences 
respectively.' " 

The election of an additional Bishop to meet the annually 
enlarging demands for Episcopal labour, was devolved upon this 
Conference by the death of Bishop Whatcoat, and the decision in 
the case of Dr. Coke. Of the necessity of strengthening the 
Episcopacy, there was a very general agreement ; but also a con- 
siderable diversity of opinion as to the best mode of effecting the 
object. There were strong advocates ibra modified Diocesan > 
Episcopacy : discontinuing the office of Presiding Elder, and 1 
electing seven Bishops, one for each Annual Conference, with 
Bishop Asbury at their head as a kind of Presiding Archbishop. 
Others were for the appointment of two additional Bishops, and 
maintained the superiority of an itinerant general superintendency 
over all other systems for the unity and success of the Church. 
And another party, agreeing in their general views with those just 
mentioned, nevertheless thought one additional Bishop would be 
sufficient for all the present necessities of the Church. These 
different views were " largely and ably discussed by some of 
the leading members of Conference on each side." But, except 
the last, they signally failed. After each was tried, a nearly 
unanimous vote was given in favour of the election of one Bishop ; 
and they immediately proceeded to the election. On the first 
ballot, ninety-five out of one hundred and twenty-eight votes were 
given for Mr. M'Kendree, and he was declared to be duly elected 
to the office. And on Wednesday the 18th, after a sermon by 
Bishop Asbury, on 1 Tim. iv. 16, he was solemnly consecrated to 
the office and work of a Bishop in the Church of God. In the 



* Hist. Methodists, p. 350. 



436 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



Ordination service, Bishop Asbury was assisted by four of the 
oldest ministers present, viz : Freeborn Garrettson, Philip Bruce, 
Jesse Lee, and Thomas Ware. The devoted, efficient, and 
valuable services of Bishop M'Kendree, to the latest period of his 
life, confirmed the Church in the excellency of the appointment, 
and justified the wisdom of the Conference in making the selection. 
It was a joy to Bishop Asbury, " the electing dear Brother 
M'Kendree Assistant Bishop" ; and he rejoiced especially that 
" the burden is now borne by two pair of shoulders instead of one 
— the care is cast upon two hearts and heads." He was indeed a 
" true yoke-fellow." 

The great question, absorbing in importance all others brought 
under the notice of this body, respected the composition of the fu- 
ture General Conferences of the Church. The General Assembly 
of the Preachers at the Christmas Conference of 1784, was not, in 
any correct sense of the term, as since used, a General Conference 
of the Church.* It was an extraordinary meeting of the ministry, 
under extraordinary circumstances ; but it either did not perceive 

• the necessity, or felt it did not have the authority to convoke an- 
other meeting of the kind. We believe the question was not even 
started in the Assembly ; and it certainly adjourned without, making, 
or even suggesting any provision for a subsequent general meeting 
of the Ministers. For several succeeding years, until the institu- 
tion of the Council in 1789, as in the years preceding 178 4, w_e 
find the Annual Conferences, " without let or hindrance," exer- 
cising all the rights and powers of a General Conference : 
stituted in 1792. The organization of the Church under an Epis- 
copal regimen, was the sole object for convening tn*e Christmas 
Conference ; and that object accomplished, its powers ceased, and 

^the meeting was dissolved. It had no successor. From these facts, 
it is evident that theJdea oj^asmDrej^ the 

f Church was not contem^^tecU?acon^ 

necessity for some such department of authority as would consolidate 
the government, and give efficiency, as well as uniformity to its ad- 

* Mr. Lee, in his History, dates the General Conferences from that of 1792, 
which he says was the first. Dr. Bangs adopts the same mode of computa- 
tion, — calling the session of 1804, " the fourth regular General Conference." 
Vol. li. p. 150. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



437 



ministration, was very soon apparent, if not very generally felt : but 
there was nothing in the constitutional provisions of the Church to 
legitimate such a meeting; and nothing, in their own experience 
in legislation, to suggest such a c^ncen^aj^ " to 

make rules and regulations for the^w hole body." Any careful 
analysis of our Ecclesiastical system, as it existed previous to the 
Christmas Conference, will result in the conviction that a supreme 
legislative assembly was indispensable to the harmony of its ope- 
rations, and the permanency of its unity. The facts, that as late 
as IJ82„, the Northern Conference, assembling in Delaware or 
Maryland, exercised the exclusive right of " making rules and 
regulations for the Church," and also claimed the power to veto 
the acts and doings of the Southern Conference^, held in Virginia 
or North Carolina, together with the entire history of the contest 
respecting the Ordinances, will confirm the truth of this position. 
In the presence of these, and numerous other facts in the pre- 
ceding history of Methodism, it is marvellous how the assembly 
of 1784 could organize the Church, and suppose they had 
endowed it with immortality, without any provision for a, I 
confederation of the Annual Conferences, or any suggestion for 
the future legislation of the Church. We search their recorck 
• in vain for an intimation upon the subject. It was not long sub- 
sequent to this, however, before the pressure of circumstances 
awoke the mind of the Church to its necessity. Subsequent to 
the Christmas Conference, the Annual Conferences seem to have 
been more independent of each other, although, owing to the Epis- 
copacy, their union was more compact and strong; indeed there i 
was now equality of rights, a more complete uniformity of adminis- 
tration, and greater harmony of objects and interests. *■•>• 
~ But besides the " Moderate Episcopacy" established in 1784, 
there was no centre of unity, and no centralization of authority, 

either to enact laws or control the Conferences .V And there were, 

m , ----- - m w«p/y 

in the annual extension of territory, the multiplication of Confer- 
ences, the increase of the ministry and membership of the Church, 
and in the very nature and peculiarities of the system of operations, 
constantly occurring causes to exhibit the necessity, and demand 
the establishment, of such a department of supreme legislative 
.jurisdiction. The Church was soon sensible of this defect in its 



438 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



organization. The experience of a few years, in which the system 
had time to develope its practical working, sufficed to convince all 
concerned in the administration of its government, that a^ power 
yet higher and more pervasive than its Episcopacy, was wanting 
to its perfection. Ii was not long — how could it be ? — before this 
conviction developed itself in attempts to engraft upon the existing 
system the power experience had proved to be so essential to its 
completeness. The first, most prominent, and most abortive effort 
to meet this defect of our Ecclesiastical system, was " The Council." 
This measure was adopted in 1789, and was t he joint jr rpduct of 
the several Annual Conferences, under the recommendation of the 
Bishops,.* In a preceding chapter, we have given a detailed 
account of the history and inherent defectiveness of this plan of 
meeting the prevailing and formidable difficulties everywhere 
pressing upon the Church. We need not repeat them here. The 
fault of this effort at amendment is to be found in the fact, super- 
added to its inherent evil qualities, that it was designed as an 
appendix to a system otherwise deemed complete in itself; whereas 
the system itself was at fault. It was constitutionally defective, 
and required to be remodelled. Grafting would not meet this 
necessity. The defect was in the frame- work of the system ; its 
remedy, to be effectual, must be incorporated into its constitution. 
Of this " entirely n ew and exceedingly dangerou s" plan, as he 
calls it, Mr. Lee was a most earnest opponent ; and, as we have 
seen, he stated his objections to the assembled Council. The cava- 
lier treatment he received on the occasion, only confirmed his 
opposition, and made him rejoice the more when it fell into neglect, 
and ceased to tantalize and vex the Church. The dissolution of 
the Council, disappointing as it did the expectations of all who anti- 
cipated in its establishment deliverance from evils already nume- 
rous, and constantly increasing, left the Church a prey to the 
original evils of its defective organization, greatly augmented as 
the}* unquestionably were by a signal failure in a studied and gene- 
rally approved measure to reach a higher grade of perfection in 
government. We may readily suppose, under these circumstances, 
that the minds of many were turned to the consideration of a 



* Lee's Hist. p. 149. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 439 

remedy for the necessities of the Church. This may be mere 
conjecture, and we have no means of substantiating it as a fact. 
Indeed, after a careful examination of all the records within reach, 
we can find only one proposition for a plan to meet the exigencies 
of the Church. And, 'since it agrees so nearly with what was ulti- 
mately adopted as a perma nent principle of our constitution, we 
feel an especial gratification in recording the only existing but brief 
memorial of it„ to the credit of Mr. Lee's soundness of judgment 
and far-reaching discernment. A mere fragment of this plan, or 
perhaps more properly, a mere synopsis of its main features, is 
preserved in the Journal of Bishop Asbury. Under date of July 
7th, 1791, the following entry may be found: 

" This day, Brother Jesse Lee put a paper into my hand, pro - 
posing the election of not less than two nor more than four 
Preachers from each Conference, to form a General Conference in 
Baltimore, in December 1792. to be continued annually." 

Much as we may regret the disappearance of this "papei," 
containing as it probably did an extended and matured view of his 
plans and reasonings, we have enough of it to satisfy us of its 
general identity with the views incorporated in the constitution of 
the Church in 1808, to meet the exigency he was seeking to 
relieve, and also to show its superiority, in every element of its 
arrangement and operation, to the Council so recently bereft of its 
vitality. The Council was composed exclusively of Elders, hold- 
ing their offices by Episcopal appointment. Mr. Lee proposed to 
constitute a representative General Conference, composed of mem- 
bers elected by each Annual Conference ; and the body thus con- 
stituted he designed to endow with immortality. We need not 
press these contrasts, since its identity with our present organiza- 
tion, and its disagreement with the Council, are too obvious to need 
remark. What effect this proposition had upon the mind of the 
Bishop, or through him upon the minds of others, we have no 
means of ascertaining. But we can trace the doctrines of Mr. 
Lee's " paper" through the succeeding periods of the Church, 
quite up to the time when the principles it contained were embodied 
in the measures to constitute a delegated General Conference. Of 
these measures, and some of the incidents connected with theii 



440 



THE LIFE 



AND TIMES OF 



adoption, especially as they are connected with the personal history 
of Mr. Lee,we propose giving a somewhat detailed account. 

The memorial, heretofore referred to as adopted by the Annual 
Conferences of 1807, and having for its object a change in the 
composition of the General Conference, originated with the New 
York Conference. Our limits will not allow us to copy it, yet a 
few extracts from it are necessary to a correct understanding of 
the subject. After a quaint preliminary address, beginning . with 
these words : " We, as one of the seven eyes of the great and increas- 
ing body of the Methodist Episcopal Church in these United States, 
which is composed of about five hundred Travelling, and about two 
thousand Local Preachers, together with upwards of one hundred 
and forty thousand members," &c., it proceeds to state the grounds 
upon which it believes a change to a representative General Con- 
ference will be conducive to the permanence and prosperity of the 
Church : 

" When we take a serious and impartial view of this impo"tan<, 
subject, and consider the extent of our Connection, the number of 
our Preachers, the great inconvenience, expense, and loss of time 
that must necessarily result from our present regulations relative 
to our General Conferences, we are deeply impressed with a 
thorough conviction that a representative or delegated General Con- 
ference, composed of a specific number, on principles of equal 
representation, from the several Annual Conferences, would be 
much more conducive to the prosperity and general unity of the 
whole body, than the present indefinite and numerous body of Min- 
isters, collected together unequally from the various Conferences, to 
the great inconvenience of the ministry, and injury of the work of 
God."* 

This memorial was presented to the Conference on the 9th of 
May, the third day of the session. It was immediately referred to 
a committee of fourteen, composed of two members from each 
Annual Conference : Ezekiel Cooper, J. Wilson, George Pickering, 
J. Soule, W. McKendree, W. Burke, W. Phcebus, J. Randall, P. 
Bruce, J. Lee, S. G. Roszell, N. Reed, J. McClaskey, and T. 
Ware. We believe the committee was instructed to dra ft a cons ti 
'ution for a delegated General Conference. At the first meeting 



* For fall report, see Bangs' s Hist. vol. ii. pp. 226-228. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



441 



of the committee, after an interchange of views, it was resolved to 
appoint a sub-committee of three to prepare the instrument and 
report to a subsequent meeting. The sub-committee consisted of 
Messrs. Soule, Cooper, and Bruce. These three, after consulta- 
tion, resolved that at a meeting to be held the next morning^ each 
one should bring a draft framed by himself, when, after a compari- 
son of views, one might be selected, or prepared from the common 
stock, for presentation to the original committee. At the appointed 
time, Mr. Bruce appeared without stone or mortar for the edifice. 
Messrs. Soule and Cooper had each a building complete and strong ; 
but utterly unlike each other in size, structure, or arrangement. 
Like the " iron and clay" in Nebuchadnezzar's image, they could 
not be united, nor harmonized; but there was a. majority of three 
in favour of the plan drawn up by Mr. jSoule. It was then pre- 
sented to the committee of fourteen, adopted by a majority, and 
submitted to the Conference. The report is in the following words: 

" Whereas it is of the greatest importance that the doctrine^rip 
of government, and general rules of the United Societies in America 
be preserved sacred and inviolable : and whereas every prudent 
measure should be taken to preserve, strengthen, and perpetuate 
the union of the Connection : — 

" Therefore, your Committee, upon mature deliberation, have 
thought it advisable that the third section of the form of Discipline 
shall be as follows, viz : 

" SECTION III 

" Of the General Conference, 

"1. The General Conference shall be composed of delegates 
from the Annual Conferences. 

" 2. The delegates shall be chosen by ballot, without debate, in 
the Annual Conferences respectively, in the last meeting of Con- 
ference previous to the sitting of the General Conference. 

" 3. Each Annual Conference, respectively, shall have a right to 
send seven Elders, members of their Conference, as delegates to 
the General Conference. 

" 4. Each Annual Conference shall have a right to send one 
delegate, in addition to the seven, for every ten members belonging 
to such Conference, over and above fifty : so that, if there be sixty 



442 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



members, they shall send eight ; if severity, they shall send nine, 
and so on in proportion." 

The rest of the report is substantially the same that is now 
comprehended in the section of the Discipline entitled, " Of the 
General Conference." With + he exception of a few verbal altera- 
tions, the restrictive regulations are now nearly the same as they 
were prepared by Mr. Soule. 

There was some opposition to rhis report in the committee, but it 
was more general and decided in the Conference. In both, Mr. Lee 
was the most prominent opponent. His favourite measure now was 
to compose the body by seniority rather than by election. Regard- 
ing the legislative department of the Church as properly a fit arena 
for the counsels of age and experience, and not dreaming that 
intrigue and ambition would ever seek to display their powers on 
such a theatre, he preferred to commit the grave and important inte- 
rests of the Church to the counsels of those whose judgments had 
been matured amidst long years of toil, and whose highest attain- 
ments had been learned in the school of Christ. Others joined him 
in this opposition, and the debate was animated and protracted ; 
but this was the strong point, and Mr. Lee led the van of the 
attack. It was under the force of his arguments, as we have been 
assured by very high authority, the report was defeated. When 
the vote was taken on the report of the committee, it was rejected 
by a vote of 64 to 57.. This defeat was a source of surprise and 
sorrow to the friends of the measure. After some consultation, 
the matter was recommitted, and was returned to the Conference 
with this material alteration : It proposed to constitute the General 
Conference upon the basis of one delegate for every five members 
of an Annual Conference. In nearly all other respects, it scarcely 
differs from the present constitution. It did not, however, relieve 
the objections in Mr. Lee's mind ; and he again opened the debate 
against its adoption. But it was his turn to be defeated, or to be 
reconciled to the measure. At a pause in the discussion, Mr. 
Soule moved to amend the article so as to read, " to be appointed 
bv seniority or choice, at the discretion of such Annual Confer- 
ence." This motion, if it did not put him in a dilemma, neutral- 
ized his opposition, and he was speechless. Mr. Soule knew Mr. 
Lee was as inveterate an advocate of the independent rights of the 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



443 



Conferences, as he was of the condition of seniority in constituting 
the General Conference; and, with a sagacity that has not yet 
failed him, he placed his strongest adversary between the cross- 
fires of his own favourite doctrines. As amended, it maintained 
the independence of the Conferences, and committed to the custody 
of that independence the very condition he defended as the proper 
basis of representation. His point was gained ; but he felt that he ; 
had lost a victory. But he submitted ; and, walking up to his 
friend, poked him in the side with his finger and whispered, 
" Brother Soule, you've played me a Yankee trick !" The point 
was now settled ; and, concurring heartily in the restrictive regula- 
tions, he gave them his support, and the report was adopted by a 
nearly unanimous vote. 

While the paternity of these regulations, which gave a written 
constitution to the Church, is unquestionably to be placed to the 
credit of Bishop Soule, it is also due to historical accuracy to state, 
that the third restriction originated with Mr. Lee. In the Journals 
of this Conference, the following entry occurs, under date of May 
the 24th, the day on which the whole measure was finally adopted : 

" J. Lee moved, That the next General Conference shall not 
change or alter any part or rule of our government, so as to do 
away Episcopacy, or to destroy the plan of our itinerant general 

Superintendency." ]iX& >(TVs>» $sT&& C \ $&vjL& k(ti i$ri 
A resolution, introduced at several preceding sessions, to' make 
Local Deacons eligible to Elder's orders, was again brought for- 
ward, and lost by a vote of 66 to 60. This measure was finally 
carried in 1812. 

The effort, heretofore so productive of strife and debate, to make 
Presiding Elders elective by the Annual Conferences, was brought 
up for consideration again, on the 16th, under the annexed resolu- 
tion, offered by Ezekiel Cooper, and seconded by Joshua Wells : 
" Resolved, That the Discipline be altered so as to read : 
" Ques. By whom shall the Presiding Elders be chosen? 
" Ans. Each Annual Conference respectively, without debate, 
shall annually choose by ballot its own Presiding Elders." 

This resolution did not pass off " without debate;" but it was 
soon settled, and rejected by a vote of 73 to 52. 



444 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



On the last day of the session, a matter was introduced and dis- 
posed of, that, as a peculiarity of legislation, and for its bearings 
upon a question that has since ruptured the Church, deserves a 
conspicuous place in every history of Methodism. We give it in 
the terms in which it stands in the Journal : 

" Moved from the Chair, That there be 1000 Forms of Discipline 
prepared for the use of the South Carolina Conference, in which the 
section and rule on slavery shall be left out." " Carried ;" i. e. 
adopted. 

As there were now two Bishops, occupants of " the Chair," it 
cannot, except by some surviving member of the Conference, be 
certainly determined who was the mover of this resolution. It was 
either Bishop Asbury or Bishop M'Kendree ; and every probability 
of the case indicates the Senior Bishop as the author. Except in 
Virginia, we believe Bishop M'Kendree had never exercised his 
ministry in the south ; and nearly the whole of his time had been 
spent in the Western Conference, at least since 1797. He could 
not therefore be familiar with, or under the influence of opinions 
existing in South Carolina, and requiring so extreme an act of legis- 
lation. But since 1785, a period of twenty -three years, Bishop 
Asbury had been visiting the state, watching the progress of Metho- 
dism, and studying its welfare. He was intimate with all its wants ; 
and a most ardent and exemplary labourer in its fields. In the 
presence of these facts, and knowing the resolution to have come 
from one of the Bishops, is it a violation of historical justice to 
assume it as the offspring of the Senior Bishop? 

But what shall we say of the act itself? To regard it as the 
expression of a sincere desire to mitigate the evils of former enact- 
ments, and to prevent evil for the future, is only a tribute to partial 
charity at the expense of general justice. The interests of Metho- 
dism in South Carolina may have been, and no doubt were, greatly 
perilled by the system of unwise legislation about slavery hereto- 
fore pursued by the Church. But were they the only sufferers? 
And what kind of legislation was it that gave two kinds of law for 
the government of the same people, under precisely the same cir- 
cumstances? Here were two codes of Discipline put forth as law 
by the same Ecclesiastical legislature, and intended to operate for 
the promotion of unity and uniformity among the same people ! 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



4-15 



Both the general " rule," and the particular " section" on sla- 
very, were to be omitted in forms of the Discipline intended 
for circulation in a prescribed section of the Church. In 
1804, retaining the rules in the Discipline, they exempted the 
Societies in North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee, 
from their operation. But in 1808, the Discipline itself was 
expurgated ; and, by special enactment, exempted from conveying 
the laws of the Church to a select circle of its members. Doubt- 
less there was benevolence intended by this measure ; but it pre- 
sents such an anomaly in legislation, as tempts us to blush 
(notwithstanding its decided confirmation of the wrong and wretched 
policy of the Church in its measures to extirpate slavery) at every 
aspect in which it presents the legislative acumen of our fathers.] 
Was it from this feeling, or from unwillingness to circulate this great 
disparaging fact of their pro-slavery affinities after all, that Dr. 
Bangs omits all reference to the subject in his account of the General 
Conference of 1808 ? The omission of so important a measure of 
so important a session is almost as great an anomaly in history as 
the act itself is in legislation. One thing, however, is apparent in 
this, and all the other anti-slavery proceedings of our fathers. 
They would never have suffered " the great evil of slavery" to 
produce the still greater evil of rending the seamless garment of 
Christ in twain. They would have preserved the unity of the 
Church maugre all the evils of slavery, — if the windings of legis- 
lation could have secured so great and beneficial an end. 

Heretofore the word " salary," in respect to the ministry, was 
commonly used in the Discipline. It was an obnoxious word to 
Mr. Lee, and under a resolution introduced 03^ him it was erased, 
and the word " allowance" substituted in its place. 

Other measures of importance were enacted during this session 
of the Conference. We have brought under review the most pro- 
minent and imposing, both in their character and results. In every 
respect it surpasses, in the spirit of its debates, the nature of its de- 
cisions, and their prospective influence upon the Church, all pre- 
ceding meetings of the kind. It is especially to be remembered as 
having consummated, and made perfect, as far as that word can 
apply to human works, the measures so happily commenced in 



446 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



1784. We gravely question whether, in strictness of language, the 
Church can be said to have been organized previous to the General 
Conference of 1808. It is at least certain, that up to this time it 
was defective in all that relates to a constitutional legislative de- 
partment. But its organization was now complete, its government 
placed upon a safe and permanent foundation, and, confining power, 
in all its ramifications, within just and wholesome limits, it left the 
system, in the inherent might of its own energies, to fulfil its mission 
of preaching peace by Jesus Christ to the weary and heavy-laden, 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



CHAPTER XII. 

FROM THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1808, TO THE GENE- 
RAL CONFERENCE OF 1812. 

The Christian Soldier — Enters on a Visit to New England — Strange Scenes at 
a Camp- Meeting — New York — Norwalk — A Change — Free Seats — Bells- 
Note, Remark of Asbury on Bells — Pews — Bad Manners — Mr. Lee and the 
Lawyers — Farmington — Effect of a Word — Rev. George Pickering — Con- 
founding a Baptist Minister — Prosperity of Methodism — Returns to Virginia 
— Conference at Tarboro — Bishop Asbury's Prejudices against Slavery — 
Change of his Views — Brunswick Circuit — Mr. Lee elected Chaplain to the 
House of Representatives — Sustains a severe Injury — Returns to his Circuit 
— Conference in Petersburg — A Question of Episcopal Power — Mr. Lee ap- 
pointed Presiding Elder — Publishes his History of ihe Methodists — Motives 
for writing it — Its Character and Value — Note, Bishop Asbury's Objection 
. to it considered — Labours on his District — Conference at Raleigh — Com- 
\ plaints — Anecdote — Amelia Circuit — Chaplaincy — Purchases a Home — Con- 
ference in Richmond — Bishop Asbury complained of for ordaining a Slave — 
Election of Delegates to General Conference — Stationed in Richmond — Ge- 
neral Conference — Bishop M'Kendree's Address — Refusal to elect a Bishop 
— Local Deacons — Anecdote — Effort to alter the Mode of constituting the 
Gerferal Conference — Presiding Elder Question — A Passage between Bishop 
Asbury and Mr. Lee — A strange Procedure in Legislation. 

The warrior, when age has calmed the passions of manhood, 
and years have elapsed since he met the foes of his country in the 
shock of deadly strife, must feel a peculiar pleasure, in revisiting 
the fields of his fame, to find the storm of war succeeded by the 
sunshine of peace, and smiling harvests and the merry song of 
husbandry enr'ching the scene, and gladdening the soil where 
hosts of human beings " in fell encounter fiercely met," and 
cannon-hail mowed down whole ranks of living men. But richer 
and holier are the transports of the Christian Soldier, when lie 
revisits the fields of his bloodless triumphs, and finds hearts and 
families, once alien from Goo. and full of discord, now " brought 
nigh by the blood of the Cross," and, in the fellowship of faith 
and love, seeking their long and last repose in the midst of the 
felicities that spring eternal in the kingdom of heaven. " He that 



448 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless 
come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." We 
have seen Mr. Lee, in the pure signification of these words, going 
forth, the bearer of precious seed, among the arid and barren 
Churches of New England ; and we have seen him rejoicing in 
the multitude and fullness of his sheaves. But long years have 
since elapsed ; others have entered the fields wherein he had 
sowed, even weeping, " the good seed of the kingdom," and have 
gathered harvests of precious ripe fruits " unto the praise of the 
glory of God's free grace." He would revisit those fields of his first 
and joyous planting, to see if the harvest answered to the. sowing ; 
and again to sow precious seed, that might spring up and give joy 
to the reaper when the hand of the sower should be mouldering in 
the silence and solitude of the grave. Let us follow him. 

For several years, Mr. Lee had meditated a visit to New 
England, — a land full of precious recollections to his heart. Be- 
fore leaving Virginia for the seat of the General Conference, it is 
believed he made all necessary preparations for this journey, 
especially in providing for his circuit during his absence. This 
tour, which extended to the remotest point of his early travel^ in 
Maine, and embraced nearly the whole remaining portion of the 
year, is full of interest. But it was sad in some of its devolope- 
ments of what he considered departures from the simplicity of 
pure Methodism. His notices of these will be brought distinctly 
into view. They will serve to show how soon " tares" may be 
sown among " wheat," and how seriously they interrupt the 
harvest. Nor will they be useless as warnings of the impolicy of 
innovation. 

Form and power are both essential to godliness ; but they are 
entirely different in their aspects and influences. Mr. Lee could 
not be classed among those condemned by the Apostle, who, 
u having the form of godliness, denied the power thereof." Of the 
two, he would have been more disposed to deny the form. The 
power he fully credited, and, in a choice between them, would have 
preferred it in its most extravagant manifestations. Forms, such 
as are identical with worship and duty, were his delight. But mere 
ceremony — externalism, — that neither came from, nor reached the 
heart, was an abomination that vexed his righteous soul. The 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



449 



reader wili remember his displeasure at " the gown and Dands" of 
Bishop Asbury, in one of the first years of his ministry. He had 
not yet learned to conform to popular taste in outward show ; and 
he would " not follow a multitude to do evil." It was not long- 
after leaving Baltimore before he was compelled by stress of prin- 
ciple to " turn away" from a ceremony that seems to have been as 
popular with others as it was offensive to him. He attended a 
camp-meeting in New Jersey, and was not long in discovering a 
strange adhesion to forms in some of its arrangements. In imita • 
lion, perhaps, of the scenes enacted at Jericho, " seven trumpets' 
were used on all occasions : to awake them in the early morning, 
;o summon them to the place of preaching, to notify the hour of 
retirement at night ; and as often as circumstances called for it, 
ihe seven trumpeters blew their seven trumpets ! But what most 
offended the taste of Mr. Lee, was the concluding scene of the 
meeting. He must describe it himself: " Another thing which 
was new to me, was their manner of taking leave of each other, 
which was as follows : The men, with their trumpets, went fore- 
most, rank and file, blowing as they went ; and then the Preachers 
followed after; and then the men in general followed the Preach- 
ers. They then made a circular march, and when the Preachers 
came round to the place from whence they started, they turned out 
of the ranks to the right hand, and stopped and shook hands with 
all the men next to them, till they all came round ; and then the 
men who were marching in the circle shifted sides, each with his 
companion, and went round again ; and those who were on the 
opposite side from the Preachers the first time, came next in turn 
to the Preachers, and had an opportunity of shaking hands. Then 
the women marched around twice in the same form, and all shook 
hands as the men had done before them. Most of them continued 
singing as they went. I was requested to march with them, and 
to stand and shake hands ; but I excused myself, for indeed I did 
not like so much ceremony and form." 

Dissatisfaction at this proceeding cannot surprise any right- 
minded Christian. The real surprise is that it was at all tolerated. 
There was no godliness in it ; and, though a species of " will-wor- 
ship," it was devoid of all " show of wisdom." Happily, such 
29 



450 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



scenes were not common, or camp-meetings would long since have 
ceased to shed the savour of a'holy influence upon the Church. 

After spending a week in New York, and preaching nine times, 
he attended a camp-meeting of great profit to his soul, at Cow 
Harbour, from whence he sailed in a small sloop to Norwalk, 
Conn., beginning his journey of pleasure at the point where, as 
the pioneer of Methodism, he entered the spiritual desolations 
of New England in 1789. There was joy in Norwalk on that 
day. Nearly twenty years had passed away since, a stranger and 
unwelcomed, he stood on a stone by the way-side, and preached the 
power of godliness in the doctrine of a present salvation. The 
distant then, were the near and warm-hearted now. " Come in, 
thou blessed of the Lord," was the general welcome. And he was 
not without emotion in saluting those whom God had given him as 
the seals of his apostleship. The joy was mutual ; and it was joy 
in the Lord. Beginning here, he traversed, in nearly the same order 
as in his first movements, the places in which lie had opened the 
pathway for those who were now gathering the continually ripen- 
ing fruits of a harvest that still yields abundant and accumulating 
rewards to faithful labour. He was everywhere met with a cheer- 
ful welcome ; and his ministry was more than ordinarily effectual 
in confirming the faith and comforting the hearts of the people. 
His Journal abounds with notices of good meetings, large congre- 
gations, and personal pleasure derived from intercourse with old 
friends : a cheerful gratitude for the good already wrought, and 
everywhere observable; and a joyful confidence that, while true to 
its great distinctive principles, the success of Methodism in the 
land of the Puritans, like leaven, or like itself everywhere else, 
must keep pace with the progress of society, and modulate it after 
its own key-note of spirituality, or mould it into the form of its 
own consecration to God and the good of men. But he could not 
close his eyes to what he regarded as departures from its elemental 
principles ; nor would he hold his peace when, as a consequence 
of the discovery, his sorrow- was stirred within him. It is a singu- 
lar fact that the preaching of the gospel to the poor, constituting 
as it does the distinguishing glory of the cross, has been very fre- 
quently, even among professing Christians, urged as a reproach 
of Methodism. It was its peculiar glory, however, in the estima- 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



451 



tion £>f Mr. Lee ; and any feature of the system, or any arrange- 
ment in its operations that contravened their rights or abridged 
their freedom of access to the Church, was regarded as a positive 
defect — a great evil, without a redeeming quality, or the remotest 
promise of good. He preached a free salvation, upon the fullest 
and broadest principles of free grace. Believing God " would have 
all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth," 
he could fraternize with no system of measures that, in any possi- 
ble contingency, denied to any one the largest liberty of hearing 
the Word of God, or in its legitimate influence subjected them to 
any species of humiliation in order to hear it. With this know- 
ledge of his views, and without endorsing all of his opinions, we 
can sympathize with him in the discovery that the union between 
free grace and free seats in the Church, had been severed in 
several places in New England. It was a rude earthly grafting 
upon the heavenly stock of Methodism. He was not, however, 
bitter in his censures, as a few specimens from his Journal will 
show : 

" Newport, Rhode Island. The Methodists and others have 
united to build a Methodist Meeting-House, which is not finished 
but is fit to preach in. They have a steeple to it, with a pretty 
large bell.* The house is fitted up with large square pews, so that 
a part of the people sit with their faces, and others with their 
backs towards the preacher; and these pews are sold to purcha- 
sers. Male and female sit together. Is not this a violation of 
Methodist rules ?" He had never before seen a bell in a Methodist 
house of worship. 

Boston. " Preached at night in the neiv Meeting-House. I did 
not feel as much freedom in this house as I did in the old. This 
new Meeting-House is large and elegant, I think eighty-four by 

* Bells to Churches were considered a great innovation by the early ministers 
of Methodism. In the following it will be seen how " bells" and "boys" dis- 
turbed the gravity of Bishop Asbury. The "boy" and the "bell" were in 
Augusta, Ga. "I am grieved to have to do with boys. Hugh Porter 
had written to this town about a station; and added to the mischief he had 
formerly done : I shall take care of these youngsters. And behold, here is a 
bell over the gallery — and cracked too ; may it break ! It is the first I ever 
saw in a house of ours in America: I hope it will be the last." Journal, vol. 
iii. p. 210. 



452 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



sixty-four. It has an altar round the pulpit, in a half-circle, and 
the house is fixed with long pews of a circular form, to be uniform 
with the altar. The front of the gallery is of the same form. It 
looks very handsome, and will contain an abundance of people, 
but it is not on the Methodist plan, for the pews are sold to the high- 
est bidder." 

" I preached at . My text was, Deut. xxix. 29. The 

secret things belong unto the Lord our God, $~c. I felt but little 
faith or satisfaction in the beginning of the discourse. The people 
have fixed pews all around the house, and all the rest have no seats, 
except a few loose boards on blocks. Whilst I was preaching, if a 
well dressed person came in, the people w 7 ouId jump up in their 
pews and slam open their doors, and thump on their pews, and 
beckon with their hands to get the person into their pews. I was 
quite displeased with their pews, and with their conduct." 

These extracts need not be multiplied. Their introduction has 
a two-fold object : the one personal, the other . historical. Person- 
ally, they exhibit the undisguised opposition of Mr. Lee to the pew 
system ; and at the same time declare his uncompromising adher- 
ence to original Methodism, with its plain Churches and its free 
seats; with its heaven-sanctioned doctrines of free grace, freely 
offered to all, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Histori- 
cally, they show where, and at how early a period this departure 
from a distinctive and cherished regulation of Methodism was com- 
menced. 

Whatever opinion may be entertained with regard to pews, very 
few, we imagine, will differ with Mr. Lee in his displeasure at the 
conduct of the pew-holders in the last-mentioned case, as extracted 
from his Journal. And the prudence of his first biographer, Mr. 
Thrift, in suppressing the place of its occurrence, is deserving of 
high commendation. Since, although it may develope some of the 
nhases of the system, in its invariable tendency to " have respect 
of persons," there was no necessity of exposing those so unhappily 
exhibiting the weakness of human nature under circumstances of 
peculiar temptation. But, notwithstanding these disparagements, 
the adoption of the pew system by the Methodists of New England 
has strong mitigating circumstances that must come up for conside- 
ration in every impartial examination of the question. The estab- 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



453 



lished Churches around them, and there was one or more in every 
place they entered, were nearly all of this order. The people were 
accustomed to them, and strongly prejudiced in their favour; and 
the habits of the people, their social equality, domestic arrange- 
ments, extending even to a rigid supervision during Church hours, 
and general regularity in attending public worship, all prepossessed 
them in favour of pews, and left them, when the subject of their 
permanent Church relations, and the influence of those relations 
upon their household morals and happiness came up for settlement, 
with no other guide for themselves than their personal experience 
of the direct beneficial results of the system, and with no good 
hope of the enlargement of Methodism in the country without this 
partial conformation to the customs of the community. In adopt- 
ing this mode of sitting in their Churches, therefore, there was no 
collision with existing rules, and could be no rupture of established 
opinions, as there would have been in introducing them among the 
Method*sts of Virginia. It was only a wise application of the im- 
portant doctrine of expediency. We are aware that it may be ; 
and is often urged upon this and kindred topics, that the Methodists 
ought to have maintained their original ground, and insisted upon 
the strict observance of the rule in the case. It is at least presuma- 
ble they did so with all the force of earnestness and entreaty. But 
without effect ; except in so far as it contributed to excite the 
inquiry : whether they should, in a matter on which revelation is 
silent, and no ingenuity can prove to be essential to salvation, yield 
this liberty to the people, or circumscribe and finally destroy the 
power which Methodism was everywhere putting forth to redeem 
and save those for whom Christ died, but who had been drilled 
into an obstinate indifferency by the heartless preaching of irresisti- 
ble decrees guided by sovereign will and electing love. In such an 
issue, we doubt not but the sturdy, and otherwise uncompromising 
pioneer of Methodism in New England, would have yielded, not 
exactly " the rule" for there was no law upon the subject, but the 
general usage, or " economy" of the Church, to the demands of a 
necessity that could not be controlled without injury to the growing 
usefulness and permanent establishment of the Church.* We do 

* In 1784, the Discipline required our houses of worship to be built " plain 
and decent." In 1820, after "decent," the words " and with free seats" were 



454 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



not intend to advocate the erection of pewed Churches, but there 
are points involved in the question that it would be unwise and 
illogical to overlook in its settlement. Church edifices, in a 
country like ours, where religion derives no pecuniary aid from 
government, must be erected by the voluntary contributions of the 
people; and it seems an unwise interference with their tastes and 
wishes to determine after what model of architecture, or what form 
of occupancy, they shall be built and used. And there is no more 
right vested in the Church to determine the mode of occupancy, 
than there is to decide as to the matter of style. Advice, in the 
premises, is proper, and under ordinary circumstances should be 
respected. But if declined, the right of the people to do what 
they will with their own is unquestionable ; and if they, for reasons 
in their judgment good and sufficient,, and therefore entitled to 
respectful consideration, prefer to erect such a house in which to 
worship God, the only resort of the Church is to refuse to supply 
them with ministers, and abandon them to influences believed to be 
unfriendly to spirituality and disastrous to their souls. Such a 
decision might evince a stern love of " our economy," but it would 
comprise neither the wisdom of the serpent, nor the harmlessness 
of the dove. " A more excellent way" is to care for them still j 
to watch over their souls as those that must give account ; to ex- 
tract, by a kind of spiritual chemistry, the natural evils of the 
system, and replace them with " humility and the fear of the Lord," 
the twin graces of religion, from whence issue " riches and honour, 
and life." 

In his travels through Maine, Mr. Lee was surprised to find a 
dense and thriving population in districts where, in former years, 
long miles of unbroken forest intervened between the dwellings of 
the settlers. Here he found houses of worship, and availed him- 
self of every opening to preach to the people ; and his reception was 
always cordial, even among those who, having not seen, yet knew 
him, and loved him for his work's sake. Incidents full of interest in 
his personal history are connected with the scenes through which 
he was now passing, even if they do not exactly belong to the 

added ; and also in the general answer to the first question, the paragraphs 2, 
3, and 4, as they now stand in the Discipline, were introduced. These repre- 
sent pews " as contrary to our economy," and advise their discontinuance. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



455 



times of which we are writing. A few of these, as they serve 
to portray his character, may be preserved. 

The oft-told anecdote of Lee and the Lawyers, has its 
location between Boston and Lynn.* Mr. Lee was riding leisurely 
along the road to Lynn, on one occasion, when he was overtaken 
by two sprigs of the law, who knew him to be a Methodist 
Preacher, but of whom he knew nothing. Full of life and good 
humour, they determined on a little innocent amusement with the 
parson ; and after a friendly salutation, one riding on either side 
of him, something like the following pass-at-arms occurred be- 
tween them : 

1st Lawyer. " I believe you are a Preacher, sir?" 
Mr. Lee. " Yes ; I generally pass for one." 
1st Law. "You preach very often, I suppose?" 
Lee. " Generally every day; frequently twice, or more." 
2d Law. " How do you find time to study, when you preach 
so often ?" 

Lee. " I study when riding, and read when resting." 
1st Lai'j. "But do you not write your sermons?" 
Lee. "No; not very often, at least." 

2d Lavj. " Do you not often make mistakes in preaching ex- 
temporaneously ?" 

Lee. " I do sometimes." 

2d Law. " How do you do then 1 Do you correct them ?" 

Lee. " That depends upon the character of the mistake. T was 
preaching the other day, and I went to quote the text, ' All liars 
shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brim- 
stone ;' and, by mistake, I said ' All lawyers shall have their 
part—' " 

2d Laiv. (interrupting him.) " What did you do with that ? Did 
you correct it ?" 

Lee. " O, no, indeed ! It was so nearly true, I didn't think it 
worth while to correct it." 

" Humph !" said one of them (with a hasty and impatient 

* The location and genuineness of this anecdote are derived from a contempO' 
rary and intimate friend of Mr. Lee, who received it from himself. 



456 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



glance at the other). " I don't know whether you are the more * 
knave or a fool !" 

M Neither," he quietly replied, turning at the same time his 
mischievous eyes from one to the other : 4; I believe I am just 

between the two !" 

Finding they were measuring wit with one of its masters, and 
excessively mortified at their discomfiture, the knights of the 
green bag drove ahead, leaving the victor to solitude and his own 
reflections. The echoing of a merry laugh that chased their 
steeds, added very little comfort to the self-esteem of their riders. 

In Farmington he spent a night with Mr. Read. During the 
day's ride his saddle-girth had broken, and in the true Methodist 
Preacher's style of the times, soon after reaching the house, he sat 
down to repair it. While thus engaged near a window, his host 
came and stood at his side. Mr. Lee, always seeking to do good, 
and to turn everything to godly edifying, said : " Mr. Read, did 
you ever stand in your own light P The gentleman supposing he 
had come between Mr. Lee and the light, stepped hastily aside, 
apologizing for the inadvertence. He was assured that he was not 
between Mr. Lee and the light : and the question was repeated in 
a grave and deliberate tone of voice. Suddenly perceiving the 
object of the question, and feeling its force, he replied with consid- 
erable emotion, Yes, sir. All my life I have been standing in 
the light of my own peace and happiness." This question, sug- 
gested by the employment of the moment, had a powerful effect 
upon the mind and life of Mr. Read. It elicited reflection ; and in 
a short time he made an open profession of religion, lived to adorn 
the doctrine of God his Saviour, and died in full assurance of faith. 
So strange, to some who find it, are the means of life and salvation. 
The instruments, how very weak: the effects, how glorious and 
God-like! A grain of mustard may produce a tree beneath whose 
branches the birds of Paradise may sing the new scng in strains 
alwavs new, and always transporting. 

At one of the early Conferences in Lynn, when everything was 
calm and cheerful in the body, and they were engaged in the 
examination of character, the usual question, " Is there anything 
against Brother Lee ?" was asked. " Yes," said the Rev. George 
Pickering,"springing to his feet, as if impelled by a sudden deter 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



457 



mination, " I have an objection to Brother Lee." " What is it ?" 
asked the Bishop. " I think Brother Lee is too self-willed," was 
replied ; and a broad smile greeted the sally. " We have no law 
against that ; Brother Lee can retire," responded the Chair. The 
next name on the list was Mr. Pickering's. " Anything against Bro- 
ther Pickering ?" " Yes, sir. He will have his own'way !" A 
generous laugh attested the point-blank accuracy of the retort, and 
sanctioned the playful episode in the grave doings of the session. 

Another incident, characteristic of Mr. Lee, and serving to illus- 
trate the nature of the hostility everywhere opposed to the establish- 
ment of Methodism in New England, may be introduced at this 
stage of his history. On one of his early visits to Reading, 
Conn., he preached on "the icay of salvation." Setting forth 
Christ as the Saviour of sinners, he described, with great clearness 
and force of application, the way of repentance and faith, as lead- 
ing directly to Christ, and as the means of obtaining salvation. 
Elder Hull, a Baptist minister, was present, and listened to the 
sermon with considerable impatience. The sermon was no sooner 
finished than the Elder rose up in the congregation, and said, " I 
differ with the Preacher. He says that in order to be saved, you 
must repent and believe. But he did not say whether you could 
repent in one week, or three weeks, or six weeks. He says, 
' repentance is sorrow for sin.' It takes some time to be sorry for 
sin. He says, ' repentance is confession of sin ;' and it takes some 
time to confess sin ; and he says, ' repentance is forsaking sin 
and it takes some time to forsake sin; especially if you have been 
some time committing it. And then after all this, he says, i you 
must believe in Christ.' All this will require a long time. Now, 
for my part," continued Mr. Hull, " I believe religion may be 
obtained in a very short time." Surprised, no less at the objec- 
tion than its frivolousness, Mr. Lee straightened himself up in 
the pulpit, and after a keen and somewhat satirical gaze at his 
opponent, said in reply, " The gentleman seems to be offended 
with me for not saying hoiv long it would take any one to em- 
brace religion ! True, I did define repentance, but I did not say 
how long it would take any one to repent. That is no part of my 
business. I know it will take a sinner as long to be converted as 
it will take him to come to Christ by repentance and faith. It may 



458 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



all take place in a very short time. A hunter goes into the woods 
to hunt, and presently finds a deer : he levels his gun, 1 that takes 
some time:' he brings his si^ht along the gun to bear on the deer, 
£ that takes some time :' he pulls the trigger, ' that takes some time:' 
then the flint strikes the pan, ' that takes some time then the fire 
kindles the powder, ' that takes some time then the powder 
catches in the barrel, &c, then the ball flies out, &c, passes along 
the distance, &c, and finally hits the deer, &c. Now all this 
takes time. But it does not take a week to kill a deer ! Is the 
gentleman satisfied F' If he was not satisfied, he was silenced. 
And the repetition of the ridiculous objection, " that takes some 
time," drawled out, as it was, at the end of every sentence, con- 
founded the captious objector, and created no small diversion at 
his expense. It was as fatal to his cause as the unerring rifle of 
the huntsman to the deer ; and left him quite as dead in the field 
so rashly entered. 

The chief gratification to Mr. Lee, in this extended and labo- 
rious visit, was derived from the evidences everywhere exhibited 
of the enlarging usefulness and prosperity of Methodism. A 
change, a very great one, in its present and ultimate effects, had 
come over the land of the Puritans. The Methodists were increas- 
ing thf-ir congregations, multiplying their members, and annually 
spreading their influence over a larger tract of country, and a 
greater number of ardent and devoted friends and followers. One 
fact, referred to in his Journal, will serve as well as many, to 
show the nature of the changes through which he was passing. 
At a sacramental meeting in Farmington, at which there were 
twelve Preachers, he savs : " I was pleased and surprised to see 
such a crowd of persons at the Lord's table. When I first came 
among them, about fifteen years ago, they had never seen a Me- 
thodist. And many of them were afraid that they were a dangerous 
set of men ; but, at this time (1808), we have nine local Preachers, 
and I suppose about one hundred persons to commune with us. 
Surely the Lord hath done great things for us." Such indications 
of success were General, and thev could not fail to interest him. 
He had laboured too earnestly in the planting,-not to find great joy 
in the time of harvest. And of the fruitful ness of the harvest, the 
annexed facts will testify. Within the territory he had entered, 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



459 



single-handed, in 1789, there was now one Annual Conference, 
containing six districts, fifty-four circuits, seventy-four itinerant 
ministers, and 8761 white and 64 coloured members. This was 
a cheering result; and, surveying the field and its fruits, he might 
well thank God and take courage. 

Having gratified the desire of his heart, in visiting the scenes of 
his early and most toilsome ministry, he left his children in the 
gospel, hoping to meet them again in a purer and better world, and 
turned his face to the sunny land of his nativity. Reaching New 
York, he had the pleasure of spending several days in the city, 
helping the Churches in a gracious revival of religion — now of 
several months' continuance — and which had been full of good 
fruits in the conversion of many souls. Preaching as he went, he 
arrived in Petersburg about the 9th of December, and remained 
with his relations until the time of leaving for Conference. 

The Virginia Conference for 1809, was held in Tarborough, 
N. C. There were eighty-four ministers present. " Sixty of them 
the most pleasing, promising young men ; seventeen Preachers 
were admitted ; in all the Conference there are but three married 
men. The high taste of these southern folks will not permit their 
families to be degraded by an alliance with a Methodist Travelling 
Preacher; and thus involuntary celibacy is forced upon us; all the 
better — care and anxiety about worldly possessions do not stop us 
in our course, and we are saved from the pollution of negro slavery 
and oppression."* Bishop Asbury was exceedingly prejudiced 
against " negro slavery." It was probably this prejudice that 
prompted the harsh remarks of the preceding sentence. But if the 
conjecture of the Bishop, as to the cause of the celibacy of himself 
and his contemporaries, be correct, it is at least gratifying to know 
they had so much self-respect, and so just a sense of propriety, as 
to prefer celibacy to an alliance with any but the very best families 
of the country ; and the fact, based upon the authority of Bishop 
Asbury, that to marry creditably, they were almost compelled to 
connect themselves with slavery, ought to have mitigated the seve- 
rity of their Ecclesiastical enactments, which, however splenelic, 
were left as a dead letter upon the statute-book of Methodism, But 



Asbury's Journal, vol. iii. p. 257. 



460 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



the light, Since so effulgent and strong in the condemnation of these 
evil measures for the extirpation of slavery, was already dawning 
upon the mind of the Bishop. Speaking of the comparatively small 
increase in the Church during the year, he says: "We arc de- 
frauded of great numbers by the pains that are taken to keep the 
blacks from us — their masters are afraid of the influence of our 
principles. Would not an amelioration in the condition and treat- 
ment of slaves have produced more practical good to the poor Afri- 
cans, than any attempt at their emancipation ? The state of 
society, unhappily, does not admit of this : besides, the blacks are 
deprived of the means of instruction — who will take the pains to 
lead them into the way of salvation, and watch over them that 
they may not stray, but the Methodists?"* We can feel neither 
surprise nor sadness at this sorrow of the venerable Bishop. From 
the beginning, he and his compeers in the crusade against a purely 
civil institution, might have understood " the state of society" better 
than to have supposed they could carry their measures of emanci- 
pation. Amelioration of the condition of the slave, by the simple 
preaching of the cross, was within their reach, and their legitimate 
duty ; and fidelity to duty would have brought incalculable good to 
both master and servant. Their present leanness, therefore, and 
their inability to reach, with the comforts of religion, the poor slave, 
was the providential exposition and punishment of their unwise and 
gratuitous legislation upon the subject. The Bishop well understood 
the cause of the obstacles now lying in the way, not of emancipa- 
tion, that was hopeless, but of amelioration : the " masters were 
afraid of his principles." It was this, not hostility to their religious 
instruction, that held them back from the Methodists. And, but for 
the prevalence of wiser counsels, the door of entrance would have 
yet been closed. 

The work of God had not been as extensive and successful in the 

Conference as in preceding years. Yet they were not without 

evidences of God's gracious favour. They were not deelining in 

numbers; in some places souls had been horn of the Spirit; and in 

summing up the results of the year's wovk, it was ascertained that, 

after deducting the losses from deaths, expulsions, dec, there was 

i 

* Asbury's Journal, vol. iii. p. 258. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



40i 



still a clear gain of 434 whites and 166 coloured; a total of 600 
souls added to the number of them that believe. 

Brunswick circuit was assigned to Mr. Lee as the field of his toil 
for the year. He was soon at his work, and laboured with custo- 
mary diligence and zeal until May, when, in order to publish his 
History, he repaired to Baltimore. A crisis in our national rela- 
tions with Great Britain had arrived, and to meet the emergency, 
the President had summoned an extraordinary session of Congress 
to meet in Washington, on the 22d of May. Two days previous 
to the opening of Congress, Mr. Lee arrived in the city, and was 
present at its organization. Circumstances, in his judgment suffi- 
cient to justify the step, induced him to become a candidate for the 
Chaplaincy of the House of Representatives. On Saturday, the 
27th, the election took place, and on the second ballot he was de- 
clared to be duly elected to the office ; and on the ensuing Monday 
he entered upon his official duties. This was a novel appointment 
for a Methodist minister ; and it was a subject of dissatisfaction to 
many of his brethren. They had no proper appreciation of its im-i 
portance, and disapproved of his accepting it. Of his own motives 
in the transaction, we have in his Journal a brief but honest record. 
" I believe," he writes, " my intention was pure in offering for this 
.place, and I must do the best I can while I am in the office. I 
expect some good will be done directly or remotely. I wish to 
leave all to God. O Lord, thou knowest my heart, thou knowest 
I desire to please thee, but unless thou wilt stand by me, I shall 
labour in vain." The opposition of his brethren to this appoint- 
ment will be noticed in another place. For the present it is only 
necessary to add, that from one so accustomed to scan his motives, 
so conscious of right and good ones, and so faithful to them, such 
a declaration of rectitude is entitled to very high and respectful 
consideration. The best commentary upon his conduct in his new 
position, is to be found in the fact of his re-election for several suc- 
cessive years. About this time an accident befell him, from the 
effects of which it is believed he never fully recovered. Returning 
from Baltimore, whither he had gone on business connected with 
his forthcoming w r ork, as he was descending a hill near Elk Ridge 
Ferry, his horse " fell at full length, breaking the shaft of his gig, 
and throwing him head-foremost from his seat ; in falling, his leg 



462 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



struck against the end of a broken screw, making a most danger- 
ous wound," and leaving him quite helpless. Providentially, an 
acquaintance passing along discovered him, and assisted him to 
reach a house in the vicinity, where his wound was dressed as well 
as circumstances would admit. He afterward resumed his journey, 
though in great pain ; and reaching his home in the city, he .was 
compelled to call in a physician. He was confined to his room 
under medical treatment for several weeks. It was a severe tax 
upon his love of locomotion. But his power of endurance was 
equal to the emergency. In July he was able to return to Vir- 
ginia, and resume his duties on the circuit, though but partially 
relieved from the effects of his fall. He continued at his pastoral 
work with marked evidences of God's blessing, until December, 
when, being re-elected Chaplain to Congress, he again took up his 
residence in the Metropolis of the Union. He was not inactive here. 
When not engaged in his official duties, he sought to make full 
proof of his ministry, by preaching at different points in the city 
and its vicinity, conducting prayer and class-meetings, visiting the 
sick, and in all other ways, that a sincere desire to do good, of 
every possible sort, to all sorts and conditions of men, will prompt 
a man full of zeal for God and full of love for souls, to undertake. 
Here, as elsewhere, and at every period of his ministry, he was in 
labours abundant. Nor would he allow his engagements in Con- 
gress to interfere with his duties to the Church. 

In February 1810, he attended Conference in Petersburg. Of 
this session the records are very barren of interest. The year 
had been not very abundant in revivals and their gracious fruits. 
Good had been done, and there had been times of refreshing in 
many a pastoral charge. There was a small increase on Bruns- 
wick circuit, and in the Conference a clear gain of 362 whites and 
411 coloured. A fact in the general history of Methodism is 
barely referred to by Bishop Asbury, and which may be very 
properly introduced here. Previous to the General Conference of 
1796, the Bishops exercised the right of appointing the times of 
; holding Conferences at their pleasure. At this period the Church 
I was divided into six Conference districts, with their respective 
boundaries, and independent rights. And the Bishops were autho- 
rized to hold a Conference in Maine, " if they see it necessary.' 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



463 



The General Conference of 1800 created the New York Con- 
ference out of portions of the New England and Philadelphia 
Conferences. Thus the Conferences continued, and no new one 
was added till 1809, when the Genesee Conference was established 
by the Bishops. Tkis Episcopal act seems to have given dissatis- 
faction. I t was regarded a s an assumption of authority, and there 
was great jealousy of assumed powers. In his brief note of the 
Virginia Conference of 1810, Bishop Asbury has the following 
-emark : " I gave an answer to an important question — it was, 
' Whether the Bishops had a right to form the eighth, or Genesee 
Conference V as also gave an answer to the Virginia Conference." 
It is presumable the " answer to the Virginia Conference" was to 
a similar question, and it is probable the " important question" 
came from another Conference. The Bishop does not inform us 
as to his answer, but a very brief one would have contained an 
ample justification of the procedure. In 1796, a proviso had been 
inserted in the Discipline in these words : " Provided, ^Jhat the 
Bishops shall have authority to appoint other Yearly Conferences, 
in the interval of the General Conference, if a sufficiency of new 
circuits be anywhere formed for that purpose." This proviso was 
re-enacted at each succeeding General Conference, with a very 
slight modification of authority, until 1832. It therefore fully 
covered the case ; and its mere repetition must have given entire 
satisfaction. 

At this Conference, Mr. Lee was appointed Presiding Elder of 
the Meherrin district. After making the necessary arrangements 
for his Quarterly Meetings, and other appointments, conformably 
with his custom of filling up the intervals of time between these 
meetings, he returned to Washington to fulfil his dufes in Con- 
gress. In April, he corrected the last proof-sheet of his History, 
and was not a little rejoiced when, on the adjournment of Congress 
in May, he was able to distribute several of them among the 
members. Of this work, so often referred to in these pages, 
a brief notice will not be out of place. 

The volume contains three hundred and sixty-two pages; and 
comprises a condensed account of the rise and progress of Metho- 
dism, from its introduction into America down to the year 1809. 
In a letter to a friend in this country, written a few weeks before 



464 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



his death, Mr. Wesley, after stating that he had written " a distinct 
account of the work of God" under his ministry in Great Britain, 
made this remark : " We want some of you to give us a connected 
relation of what our Lord has been doing in America, from the 
time that Richard Boardman accepted the inwtation, and left his 
country to serve you.' 5 This request, made about 1791, while it 
seems to have made very little impression upon the ministry gene- 
rally, did not so easily pass away from the mind of Mr. Lee. He 
desired to meet its requirements ; and even after its author had 
been removed to a sphere where knowledge may be supposed to 
come by intuition, and is perfect, he desired still to supply the 
needed and important information. Many, we are assured in the 
preface of the work, of the Preachers and people in this country, 
were also anxious for a similar narrative. It was a desire to meet 
this general and natural wish of the Church, that induced Mr. Lee, 
after patiently waiting for others to do the work, without any 
prospect of its being attempted, to enter upon its performance 
himself. He certainly could bring to the composition of such a 
work, qualities of a kind not to be surpassed by any native 
minister in the Connection. He expresses the conviction in the 
preface of his book, that " no Preacher born in America has had 
a better opportunity of being thoroughly acquainted with the 
Methodists than I have. When I became a member of the 
Methodist Society, in the spring of 1774, there were but 1160 
members in the whole of the United States. I continued four 
years as a private member ; and five years more as a Class- 
Leader, Exhorter, and Local Preacher ; and have since been 
regularly travelling and preaching for upwards of twenty-six 
years. I have also travelled extensively from St. Mary's River 
in Georgia, to Passamaquoddy Ba} r in Maine." Entering into the 
fellowship of Methodism at so early a period of its history; 
travelling so generally and successively through its borders ; and 
with habits of observation that saw everything, and a memory 
that forgot nothing, he was in all these respects eminently qualified 
to trace the history of a people with whose spiritual fortunes he 
had linked his own in the spring-time of his heart, and to whom 
he had been faithful and devoted until that heart was waxing 
feeble " in the sere and yellow leaf" of life. For facts as they 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



465 



occurred, with their causes and effects ; for a detail of the pro- 
gressive growth and enlargement of Methodism, and the period 
and circumstances of its introduction into new places ; a develope- 
ment of its doctrinal principles, and its measures for promoting 
them ; an exposition of its varied, and often erroneous legislation; 
a history of its Conferences, Annual and General, with their 
measures to enlarge, consolidate, and strengthen the Societies ; — 
for all these things he was fully competent ; and his work is as 
comprehensive and accurate in its account of Methodism, as it is 
unpretending in its style and veracious in its statements. As a 
literary work it has very little merit, and it pretends to none. Its 
excellencies are to be measured by another standard than that of 
taste and embellishment. It uses language, not for ornament, but 
as the vehicle of truth ; and feeds with facts rather than fancies. 
But if Mr. Lee contributed nothing to the literary wealth or 
credit of Methodism, he has brought it under great and lasting 
obligations for his collection of facts ; constituting, as they do, the 
materials out of which the early history of Methodism in America, 
if ever better written, must of necessity be composed. Every 
subsequent labourer in this department of the Church, will be 
compelled to resort to Mr. Lee for authority as well as information : 
and in proportion to his fidelity here, will his work be true and 
valuable. And while the credit of being the first historian of 
Methodism belongs to him, his industry in collecting facts, and his 
fidelity in recording them, will entitle him to the respect and grati- 
tude of Methodism to the latest period of its history. But while we 
thus speak of the work, it is due to fairness to say there was one 
drawback to its general popularity — it was thought not sufficiently 
to exalt and distinguish Bishop Asbury. As a. mere matter of fact, 
it may be conceded as justly liable to this objection. But then it is 
the fault — if it be a fault — of his plan, and not of his purpose. His 
references to the Bishop are always kind and respectful, as they 
were to all of his contemporaries. He was not writing a biogra- 
phy, but a history ; and therefore his work abounds with matters 
and facts of a general Ecclesiastical character, rather than those 
of a private and personal nature. Considerations of this kind 
ought to have protected his work from all suspicion of unwilling' 
30 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



ness to award the meed of praise to the Senior Bishop.* But it 
survived the opposition from this source, and was received with 
very general favour by the great mass of the people. Power, if 
not fond of flattery, is always supposed to be ; and those who sus- 
pect it are not slow in offering the incense at its shrine. It is to 
these, rather than to the Bishop, we would trace the hostility to the 
" History of the Methodists." 

Congress adjourned on the 1st of May, and late in the month 
Mr. Lee entered upon his duties as Presiding Elder. On arriving 
at his first appointment, according to the arrangement made at 
Conference, he was surprised to find that his plan had been 
changed, and " the Preachers of the several circuits in his district, 
with the exception of one, had held their Quarterly Meetings." In 
this condition of things, he determined to fill the interval until the 
next round, by visiting and preaching at each of the places at 
which he had appointed a meeting, and "thus compensate the 

* In his Journal, vol. iii. p. 291, Bishop Asbury has the following remarks: 
" I have seen Jesse Lee's History for the first time : it is better than I expected. 
He has not always presented me under the most favourable aspect : we are all 
liable to mistakes, and I am unmoved by his. I correct him in one fact. My 
compelled seclusion, in the beginning of the war, in the state of Delaware, was 
in no wise a season of inactivity : on the contrary, except about two months' 
retirement, from the direst necessity, it was the most active, the most useful, 
and most afflictive part of my life. If I spent a few dumb Sabbaths — if I did 
not, for a short time, steal after dark, or through the gloom of the woods, as 
was my wont, from house to house to enforce that truth I (an only child) had left 
father and mother, and crossed the ocean to proclaim, I shall not be blamed, I 
hope, when it is known that my patron, good and respectable Thomas White, 
who promised me security and secrecy, was himself taken into custody by the 
light horse patrole : if such things happened to him, what might I expect, a 
fugitive and an Englishman?" After a careful examination of the matter, we 
can see no reason for the objection of the Bishop. Here is the text of Mr. Lee : 
" On the fifth day of March (1778), Mr. Asbury began to lie by at Thomas 
White's in Delaware State, where he shut himself up." Again: " Notwith- 
\ standing Mr. Asbury was shut up in a friend's house, he looked forward, and 

hoped for the time to come when he might again visit his brethren, and be of 
some service to the scattered flock, among whom he had laboured almost seven 
years." Hist. p. 64. If this was the strongest reason for correcting Mr. Lee, — 
and why else select it ? — it certainly was not a very high misdemeanor. But 
we may rejoice at the displeasure of the Bishop, since otherwise he might 
never have wTitten a passage so full of interest and in illustration of an eventful 
period of his life. We are glad to know the fact, but we can perceive no cause 
of offence in the language of Mr. Lee. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



467 



people for the derangement of his plans in the first instance. 
There were eight appointments on his district ; and with such indus- 
try and perseverance as belonged to his nature, he could accom- 
plish this work without interfering with his original plan for the 
year. His abundant labours were not without a rich return of 
blessing to his own soul, and good to the people. His Quarterly 
Meetings always attracted large crowds of people, and were gene- 
rally seasons of great religious interest. He preached during this 
year with unusual unction,' and laboured to fulfil his ministry with 
unabated zeal and devotion. No one could perceive, although 
some affected to fear it, that his popularity with the representatives 
of the nation had lessened his love of holiness, or paralyzed his 
energy in preaching it. He could serve his country, without com- 
promising the purity or power of his religion. But, as we shall 
presently see, he had to pay dearly in another quarter for the dis- 
tinguished favour in which he was held in the high places of the 
nation. Fulfilling all, or nearly all, of his positive duties in his 
district, he was invited to Washington late in November, and 
again elected Chaplain, at the opening of Congress, and entered at 
once upon his duties. 

The Conference for 1811 was held on the 7th of February, in 
Raleigh, N. C. Thither Mr. Lee repaired, not without appre- 
hension of meeting with some opposition from some of his breth- 
ren. Objections against his book and his Chaplaincy were brought 
before the Conference. In 1808, the General Conference, after 
slightly modifying it, restored a rule to the Discipline which 
had been stricken from it in 1804. It was in these words: "No 
Travelling Preacher is permitted to publish any book or pamphlet, 
without the approbation of the Annual Conference to which he 
belongs, or of a committee chosen by them." Whether he had 
sinned against this provision of the Discipline, we cannot certainly 
determine. We believe, however, the objections were principally 
levelled against the book itself; and were rather fastidious and 
hypercritical, than substantial and just. W e need not dwell upon 
them. Their authors, themselves familiar with the facts and prin- 
ciples detailed in the volume, could not perceive, as they did not 
feel it, either the necessity or propriety of collecting and publishing 
them. Not needing the information it contained, they did not sup- 



463 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



pose it could be useful to others. Absorbed in present duties, they 
overlooked their relations to posterity ; and not seeking fame, they 
forgot that it would be monumental of themselves and their deeds. 
Posterity owes them no gratitude for their hostility ; and the pre- 
sent appreciation of the volume is a sufficient rebuke of their 
unkind and short-sighted opposition. Every reference to it is a 
disparagement of their good sense : a humiliation to the history of 
their proceedings in the case. But Mr. Lee not only offended their 
literary tastes in his book; he had also grieved their pious sensi- 
bilities by accepting an office, not in the regular work it is true, 
but not opposed to the proper calling of the ministry, either in its 
spirit or its duties. At the time, it was as creditable and distin- 
guished as it is now, and far more useful. The chief reason for 
this opposition was the loss of time it occasioned from the regular 
and more appropriate duties of his district. This objection, so far 
as it exhibits devotion to the duty of a faithful performance of all 
the functions of the ministry, is deserving of all honour. But if it 
was intended to imply that the office of Chaplain was incompatible 
with these functions, it is scarcely entitled to respect. At this dis- 
tance of time, the whole affair is clothed with a humiliating singu- 
larity. It cannot be presumed that these good men felt any 
objection to the establishment of such an office in Congress. In- 
deed, the respectful recognition of the truth of religion, and of 
their dependence upon it, involved in the appointment of a minister 
to open their proceedings with prayer, and to preach to them on 
the holy Sabbath, must have commended itself to their devout 
reflections, as a national acknowledgment of the authority and 
superintendence of God, and of their own desire to secure his 
protection and blessing. If for these, or any other reasons, 
Congress felt the importance and confessed the necessity of 
identifving the national interests with those of Christianity, by 
what process of argument shall the Methodists be excluded from 
contributing to, or participating in the union ? For what good rea- 
son shall they exclude themselves from thus serving their country 
for the promotion of God's glory ? It is painful to record such an 
instance of rudeness against one of the most honest, faithful, and 
reputable servants of the Church. But the opposition did not dis- 
turb the calm and equable temper of Mr. Lee. For the sake of 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



460 



setting this matter in its just light, and also of portraying the feel- 
ings of Mr. Lee under the intended infliction, the reader must accept 
our apology in advance, and excuse any seeming indelicacy in the 
subjoined account of the good-natured, but abrupt conclusion of the 
case. One of the leading opponents of the Chaplaincy was the 
Rev. C. Hines, a young man of fine address, and good parts. Mr. 
Lee had parried with strong arguments and excellent humour all the 
thrusts of the opposition, and was listening with a kind of half 
gravity of deportment to Mr. Hines's closing remarks, in which, in 
imitation of the French Court, in addressing the King, he repeatedly 
called Mr. Lee " Sire" " excellent Sire," " venerable Sire," &c. 
At the heel of one of these expressions, perhaps the last one, he 
was utterly confounded by Mr. Lee's jumping to his feet, and calling 
out " Bishop ! I wish you'd make that young brother quit calling 
me an old s — horse !" This was too much for the gravity of the Con- 
ference, and the patience of Mr. Hines. A hearty laugh at his 
expense was as mortifying as the interruption that caused it ; and 
when at length the body resumed its sobriety, he maintained a 
dogged silence. The case was settled. The triumph of the Chap- 
lain was complete. The remarks of Mr. Thrift, in his Memoir, 
upon the occasion of these difficulties, are creditable to himself and 
the subject, and we cheerfully insert them here : 

" Mr. Lee possessed a buoyancy of mind, and consciousness 
of integrity, which enabled him to bear up under any difficulty, 
with peculiar fortitude. And he uniformly maintained an indepen- 
dence of soul which procured for him the victory in almost every 
contest. He was a stranger to gloominess and dejection, which 
have been the companions of even some good men ; and he had 
that perfect command of himself which never failed to place him 
in an elevated situation, superior to the assaults of the weak or the 
malevolent. Sometimes, when he saw that his assailants were 
actuated by improper views, and were destitute of solid ground on 
which to stand, a humorous anecdote served as a weapon of 
defence ; and it often proved successful in frustrating his antago 
nist. His extensive travels, and consequent acquaintance with 
mankind, furnished him with a fund of instructive anecdotes, which 
he never failed to use to the best advantage; and, in self-defence, 



470 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



when a consciousness of innocence presided in his breast, he ofter; 
found it a more successful weapon than the gravity of argument 
or the labour of testimony would have been. Though to mortify 
an enemy as a rival was never his design, because he possessed 
too much delicacy of feeling to indulge in this work of humiliation, 
yet his keen satires were not unfrequently productive of this effect." 
This is an exact portraiture of Mr. Lee ; and, coming from one 
who knew him so well, it must heighten our appreciation of a cha- 
racter already, and without it, presenting so many and such strong 
claims to our respect and confidence. 

Mr. Lee received his appointment to Amelia circuit ; and, leaving 
Raleigh, returned immediately to Washington City, and continued 
in his official duties until the adjournment of Congress, on the 4th 
of March. About the middle of the month, after having spent 
several days in Baltimore, he reached the residence of his father. 
In 1809, he had purchased a small tract of land near the old 
homestead ; arid he busied himself for a few days, during this 
visit, in making some improvements, and projecting others, on his 
farm. It was probably the apprehension that he might at some 
period be compelled, by stress of circumstances not now foreseen, 
as many of his contemporaries had been, to forsake the itinerancy ; 
and as a prudent man, foreseeing the evil, he would prepare to 
meet it at its coming. Or perhaps actuated by that instinctive 
principle of humanity, the possession of a home it can fondly and 
freely call its own, and anticipating the possibility that, with 
a home, his old bachelorism might wind up amid the endearing 
accompaniments that always make home, siveet home, he would 
at least be prepared for any issue that a wise and merciful Provi- 
dence might mark out for him, whether it should terminate his 
itinerancy or his celibacy. But, however this may be, the fact 
that, after a most toilsome service of twenty-six years in the min- 
istry, he was able to pay for his home only two hundred and fifty- 
dollars, and to enter into engagements to pay as much more at the 
expiration of four years, furnishes a very clear indication of the 
small emoluments of his office. How with his small allowance, 
his necessary expenses, and his open-handed benevolence, he had 
accumulated even that amount, is perhaps a greater marvel still. 
He, like the rest of his brethren, had found no spoils on which to 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



471 



enrich himself. Without worldly goods, they, nevertheless had 
the true riches, and were heirs of an enduring substance in heaven. 

But he was also a spiritual husbandman ; and he must care for 
the things of others, and bring forward their harvest of grace and 
consolation, enriching them with heavenly treasures. He soon 
entered upon the regular duties of his circuit, and gave all diligence 
to meet all the demands of the pastoral relation. " Not for wrath, 
but for conscience' sake," at every period of his life, he sought to 
" keep all the rules of a Preacher," and to " mind every point, 
great and small, in the Methodist Discipline." He gave himself, 
therefore, to the ministry of the word, prayer and class-meetings, 
visiting from house to house, and to such other efforts to make full 
proof of his ministry, as were compatible with the nature of his 
obligations to the united and general interests of his circuit. A 
portion of this year was also spent in supplying the lack of regular 
service from their own minister, to the Society in Petersburg. 

On the 20th of February, 1812, the Virginia Conference was 
held in the city of Richmond. It was the first session in the capital 
of the state. According to Bishop Asbury, there was a decrease 
in the Conference and in the Church. " We shall not station," he- 
says, " more than seventy-five Preachers this year, a less number 
than last." ..." Old Virginia, because of the great emigrations west- 
ward, and deaths, decreases in the number she gives to the Metho- 
dists ; but New Virginia gains." As a fact of some interest in 
itself, and for its bearing upon the general subject of slavery, we 
copy from the Bishop the annexed remarks. "A charge had been 
brought against me for ordaining a slave, but there was no farther 
pursuit of the case when it was discovered that I was ready with 
certificates to prove his freedom ; the subject of contention was 
nearly white, and his respectable father will neither own him, nor 
manumit him."* As this session immediately preceded the first 
delegated General Conference, the duty of electing delegates devolved 

* Journal, vol. iii. p. 323. It was then wrong in the judgment of an Annual 
Conference to " ordain a slave." " Pursuit of the case" would not have ceased 
if the ordained person had been a slave. A change had passed over the mind 
of the Church. As in all unnatural excitements, a reaction had taken place 
Instead of denouncing slavery, the Church was prohibiting the ordination of 
slaves. 



472 



THE LIFE AND, TIMES OF 



upon it. An election of the kind was a novelty in a Conference. 
The Virginia Conference, according to the ratio of representation, 
was entitled to eleven delegates. And its ballotings resulted in the 
choice of the following ministers : Jesse Lee, Philip Bruce, John 
Buxton, Thomas L. Douglass, John Ballew, James Boyd, Richard 
Latimore, Charles Callaway, C. H. Hin es, Wm. Jean, and John 
Early. This first delegation under the representative form of our 
Ecclesiastical Legislature, was a judicious and strong one, com- 
paring well with those of the sister Conferences, and capable of 
rendering efficient service to the Church and their immediate con- 
stituents. The session of the Conference, with the exception of a 
case of litigation mentioned by the Bishop, was one of considerable 
harmony and religious enjoyment. There had been a loss in the 
white membership, during the year, of 188 ; and a gain among the 
coloured of 23. At the close of the Conference, Mr. Lee, in con- 
nexion with Charles Callaway as his colleague, was appointed to 
the pastoral oversight of the Church in Richmond. After the ad- 
journment he remained in the city, and entered upon the business 
of the station with his usual zeal and industry. He could only lay 
out the plan of his year's work, and commence its prosecution, be- 
fore, according to the mode of travelling common to the times, he 
had to leave for the seat of the General Conference. As so much 
of his work in the city comprehends that period of the year subse- 
quent to his return from New York, we shall omit the introduction 
of his pastoral labours in the metropolis of his native state, until we 
can notice them, more consistently with our prescribed plan, in the 
next chapter. 

The first delegated General Conference of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, assembled in the city of New York on the first day 
of May, 1812. In addition to the two Bishops, it was composed 
of ninety delegates, representing eight Annual Conferences. We 
shall not attempt a detailed account, or even a complete analysis 
of the proceedings of this important session.* Our object will be 
satisfied by the presentation of such facts as exhibit the views and 
illustrate the character of Mr. Lee. Soon after the organization 

* For these general objects the reader can consult Bangs' s History, vol. ii. pp. 
303-347; also Emory's History of the Discipline. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



473 



of the body, Bishop M'Kendree read an address to the Conference, 
prepared with care, and containing a condensed account of the 
state of the Church, and of the measures necessary in his judg- 
ment for preserving its efficiency, and promoting its success in the 
great spiritual objects of its organization. Among other things, hs 
suggested the propriety of instituting inquiry as to whether " the 
work is sufficiently within the oversight of the Superintendency, 
and to make," with regard to a greater and more systematic super- 
vision, " such arrangements and provision as their wisdom might 
approve." In this he was regarded as recommending an addition 
to the number of Bishops. He was followed, in an extempora- 
neous address, by Bishop Asbury, who, on this subject, concurred 
with him, and urged it upon the consideration of the Conference. 
This, and the other topics comprehended in the Episcopal address, 
were referred to an appropriate committee, with instructions to con- 
sider and report thereon. The Committee on the Episcopacy sub- 
sequently reported unfavourably to the recommendation to increase 
the number of Bishops ; but not until they had ascertained, with 
almost a certain assurance, that a recommendation to increase the 
number, would be followed by the election of Jesse Lee to the 
Episcopate. A majority of the committee being opposed to this, 
carried their measure in committee, and brought their report into 
Conference. On its introduction, it was moved by J. Early, and 
seconded by E. Cooper, two friends of Mr. Lee, and in view of 
bringing him forward for the office, to amend the report by striking 
out the word " unfavourable," and inserting " favourable," in 'As 
place. This resolution opened the ball of discussion, and a long 
and earnest one ensued. In the end, the amendment was lost; 
and thus, by an adroit movement, an event was forestalled, that a 
fair and open resort to the invincible ballot-box could not have 
defeated. This fact is only referred to here for the purpose of 
showing the position still held by Mr. Lee . in the confidence and 
affections of his brethren. It is believed a large majority of the 
northern delegates were anxious to elevate him to this deservedly 
high and influential office in the Church. 

A question that had elicited debate in perhaps every General 
Conference since 1796, the graduation of Local Deacons to the order 
A f EM/Ws,was again brought forward, and finally carried, in 1812. 



474 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



From its inception it had met the decided opposition of Mr. Lee, 
and he had several times defeated it. But its destination was to 
triumph ; and the victor in former fields was to be defeated now. 
When the subject was introduced, Mr. Lee may have felt like 
Samson : " I will go out and shake myself, as at other times." 
And he did shake himself with giant energy of argument; but 
it was of no avail ; the Philistines were upon him ; another had 
discovered the secret of his strength; and he lost his cause, — not 
exactly as Samson lost his locks, by a too blind confidence in 
woman, but because he had always been too insensible of her 
charms, and had kept her and her enticements at arm's-length. 
He was sincere in his conviction that, according to the form of 
ordination, a local man, one who did not contemplate the regular 
pastoral work, could not, compatibly with the duties and demands 
of the office, assume its vows and obligations. And he urged this 
view with great force of argument, and variety of application; 
showing it was as wrong in the Conference to allow of such 
assumptions of duty, as it was in the candidate to take them ; and 
that in one the case it would lessen their authority, as a scrtemn claim 
of the Church, and in the other trammel the rights of conscience, 
and subject it to the necessity of lightly esteeming vows made 
under solemn circumstances at the altar of God. These were 
strong views, and they were earnestly presented. But they were 
all neutralized by bringing Mr. Lee's own conduct to the test of a 
comparison with his own vows ; and on one point, when stretched 
upon the balance he was found wanting. The Rev. Asa Shinn, 
perhaps one of the most acute and profound logicians ever raised 
by the Church in America, after replying to Mr. Lee's arguments, 
called his attention, and that of the Conference, to the fact that, 
the same form of ordination required an Elder to " rule icell his 
men family ;" that Brother Leo had promised to perform this duty 
twenty years ago, and had not kept his promise to that day, and 
was therefore a delinquent, and ought to keep his own vows, &c. 
This was a shot at the very centre of his " single blessedness ;" 
and it provoked a hearty laugh at the expense of the bachelor, in 
which no one engaged with greater relish than himself. He was 
completely disarmed, overmastered for once with his own weapon, 
and if he did not yield the principle, he gave up his opposition, and 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



thenceforth, upon that subject, held his peace. The measure was 
adopted ; and has since constituted an integral element of our 
Ecclesiastical system. 

Mr. Lee essayed again to carry his measure of constituting the 
General Conference by seniority, under the motion : " That the 
members of the next General Conference come by seniority ; and 
that the superannuated and supernumerary Preachers shall not be 
included among the Senior Preachers. He also proposed that the 
ratio of representation be one for every six members of an Annual 
Conference." The resolution was rejected. 

He also introduced a resolution prohibiting the " Doctrinal 
Tracts" from being bound up in the form of Discipline ; and pro- 
viding for their publication in a separate volume. This was carried. 

The subject distinctly known in the legislative history of Metho- 
dism as the " Presiding Elder Question," was again brought forward 
with all of its excitants. The design of this movement was to 
make the office of Presiding Elders elective, and to constitute those 
thus elected, an Advisory Council of the Bishop in each Annual 
Conference. The principle involved in this question was identical 
with that comprehended in the resolution of Mr. O'KeHy in 1792., 
the defeat of which occasioned his defection from the Church. The 
knowledge of this fact made every introduction of the subject one 
of great gravity ; and invested it with an interest that mingled more 
of fear than of hope. Opposed as Mr. Lee was to the object and 
measures of O'Kelly, he was nevertheless a warm advocate of the 
proposition to make the Pre siding Elder's office elective, and there- 
fore, independent of the appointment of the Bishop. On every 
occasion of its introduction, the strongest men of the Church were 
arrayed against each other, and the collision of their giant minds 
made the fearful of heart tremble for the safety of the ark of 
Methodism. The convictions of many of the friends of this mea- 
sure must have been intrenched in the strongholds of their hearts ; < 
hence, through a period of twenty-eight years, from 1800* to 1828, 
they persisted in their efforts to carry it, without an iota of abate- 

* Dr. Bangs, Hist. vol. ii. p. 332, represents Dr. Coke's resolution, defining 
the powers of the new Bishop, and those to which that gave birth on the same 
subject, as all that was done at the General Conference of 1800, in relation to 
the principle involved in the Presiding Elder question. But the Journal of the 



476 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



merit in their devotion to the Church, or their zeal for its success. 
Indeed, they fed the sincere flame of their affection by these quad- 
rennial attempts to improve a system of itinerant ministry, that 
needed, as they believed, only this addition to make it "perfect and 
entire, lacking nothing." But they were always in a minority, ana 
it grew small by degrees, until in 1828 it disappeared from the 
councils of the Church as a living fact, and w^as buried, it__js_ sin- 
cereiy believed, without hope of res^urrection. t An incident in the 
debate on this subject in !812, in which Mr. Lee was concerned, 
may very appropriately close our remarks upon it here. Bishop 
Asbury was strongly opposed to this measure in all its forms and 
aspects. He presided in the Conference during the most exciting 
debates upon the subject ; and evinced his opposition by turning 
his back upon the speakers — sitting with his back to the body. 
Mr. Lee had made one speech on the affirmative side of the ques- 
tion. Some one in the opposition, in noticing the speech, said or 
insinuated that no man of common sense would have used such 
arguments as Mr. Lee had employed in support of his views. 
When Mr. Lee rose to reply, he said, in his own peculiar tone and 

manner : " Mr. President, Brother has said that no man of 

common sense would have used such arguments as I did in what I 
said when I was up before on this question. I am, therefore, Mr. 
President, compelled to believe the brother thinks me a man of un- 
common sense." " Yes ! yes !" said Bishop Asbury, turning half 
round in his chair, " yes ! yes ! Brother Lee, you are a man of 
uncommon sense." " Then, sir," said Mr. Lee, very quickly and 
pleasantly, " then I beg that uncommon attention may be paid to 
what I am about to say." The Bishop resumed his face-to-the-wall 
position, and amidst a general smile Mr. Lee proceeded with his 
remarks.* 

Conference shows that the body was brought to a direct vote upon the question 
by the following resolution introduced by the Rev. Wm. Ormond: 

" Moved, That the Yearly Conferences be authorized to nominate and elect 
their own Presiding Elders." 

The records of the General Conference of 1804 are especially barren. We 
cannot say whether it did, or did not agitate this question. It was regularly 
brought up from 1808 to 1828, when its spirit was quieted, and it ceased to vex 
the Church. 

* Of this discussion, Bishop Asbury, Journal, vol. iii. p. 327, says: "After a 
serious struggle of two days in General Conference to change the mode o r ap- 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



477 



There is one fact in the proceedings of this session, still confined 
to the records of the Conference, that for its novelty in legislative 
action, is deserving of a passing notice. At this period of our 
civil history, the corrupt practice of treating the voters, by the dif- 
ferent candidates, was very common ; and, as may be readily per- 
ceived, was productive of most pernicious fruits. The friends of 
morality and good order had essayed, in a variety of ways, to 
suppress and prevent this evil. At length the Church undertook 
to apply a remedy, and not until it was needed ; for the custom 
was eating its way to the vitals of religion. Strong drink was 
then, as now, an abomination to the Rev. J. Early, and he abhor- 
red the practice of treating at elections and during the canvass. 
Fearing the evil had been, or might be, practised by Methodists, 
and greatly desiring to lessen or prevent it, he introduced a reso- 
lution, designed to amend the Discipline by making the offence 
penal. For this purpose he introduced the annexed resolution, to 
incorporate the following rule into the Discipline : " If any mem- 
ber of our Church be convicted of giving treats at elections, directly 
or indirectly, he shall first be reproved by the senior minister, or 
Preacher of his circuit ; and if afterward- he persist in such evil 
practices, he shall be expelled from the Church." This measure 
was adopted, and authorized to be inserted in the Discipline as a 
rule of the Church. Immediately subsequent to the adoption of 
this resolution, a motion to adjourn until the first day of May, 1816, 
was put and carried. But m the confusion consequent upon the 
final adjournment of the body, the resolution of Mr. Early was 
called up, reconsidered, and rejected. Some counted, ai d insisted 
there , was not a quorum present. And Bishop M'Kendree sub- 
pointing Presiding Elders, it remains as it was. Means had been used to keep 
back every Presiding Elder who was known to be favourable to appointments 
by the Bishops ; and long and earnest speeches have been made to influence 
the minds of the members: Lee, Shinn, and S net hen were of a side; and these 
are great men. ... I had seventeen of the Preachers to dine with me ; 
there was vinegar, mustard, and a still greater portion of oil; but the disap- 
pointed parties sat down in peace, and we enjoyed our sober meal." That the 
"greater portion of oil" neutralized the "vinegar and mustard," we doubt not; 
but we would have been better pleased if the Bishop had said "we enjoyed 
our social intercourse." 



478 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



scribed, at the foot of the Journal, the subjoined dissent from this 
novel procedure : 

" I consider the reconsideration of Early's motion unofficial. 

"W. M'KENDREE." 

In 1792, a clause " strongly advising the Methodists to discoun- 
tenance all treats given at elections," &c, was inserted in the Disci- 
pline. But the law introduced by Mr. Early was never placed in 
the Discipline, and is not mentioned in any history of the Church 
we have ever examined. The " unofficial" reconsideration and 
rejection of this resolution, did not destroy its authority as a law 
of the Church ; but it prevented its application to the class of 
offences it was intended to correct. This act closed the first dele 
gated General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. I » 

luvcofi^ dUo ^^o^vJt 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



479 



CHAPTER XIII. 

FROM THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1812, TO THE CLOSE 
OF HIS LIFE. 

Methodism in Richmond — Mr. Lee's Pastoral Labours — Labours in the Peni- 
tentiary — Dr. Rice attempts to supersede him — Fails, and leaves the Prison- 
ers to the Care of the Methodists — Camp-Meeting — A Midnight Sermon — 
Re-elected Chaplain — Rebukes Profanity— Conference in Newbern — Mr. Lee 
preaches — Strange Effects of the Sermon — Brunswick Circuit — Chaplain to 
the Senate — Publishes Sermons — Conference in Lynchburg — Transferred to 
Baltimore Conference without his Consent — Appointed to Fredericksburg — 
Refuses to go — Subsequent Regrets — Gives up the Chaplaincy — Interesting 
Anecdote — Conference in Raleigh — Goes to Baltimore — Tried and acquitted 
— Stationed at Annapolis — First Sermon — Death of Bishop Asbury — Mr, 
Lee's Testimonial of his Worth — Epitaph — General Conference — Presiding 
Elder Question — Election of Bishop — Mr. Lee among his Flock in Annapo- 
lis — Personal Piety — Worship in the Woods — Visits a Camp-Meeting — Last 
Sermon — Sickness and Death — Reflections — Analysis of his Character — His 
Conversion and Religious Experience — His Call to the Ministry — Qualifica- 
tions for the Office, Physical, Mental, and Spiritual — Preaching ; Mode of 
it, Practical and Evangelical — Doctrinal Preaching — His Success, and the 
Causes of it — Conclusion. 

A condensed account of Methodism in Richmond, the scene of 
Mr. Lee's labours for the year 1812, may very appropriately pre- 
cede the narrative of his pastoral labours after his return from the 
General Conference. " Richmond and Manchester," as a distinct 
appointment, first appears in the Minutes in 1793. It was then dis- 
continued as a separate pastoral charge until 1799. In the former 
year, Josiah Askew was the Preacher ; in the latter, Thomas Lyell. 
At what period the first Society was formed, we have not been able 
to ascertain. It was probably some time previous to 1793. WiL 
liamsburg circuit, which for several years subsequent to 1790 com- 
prehended Richmond, was formed in 1785, and Hanover circuit, 
also adjoining the city, was formed in 1786. It is therefore pro- 
bable that the ministers of these circuits were in the habit of visit- 
ing and preaching in the city from the time of their formation. 
Some time previous to 1793 a family of English emigrants had 



480 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



settled in Richmond, and also a Local Preacher, the Rev. E. Lacy, 
from the country adjacent to the city. Of the family referred to, 
Mrs. Parrott and her daughter had been Methodists in England. 
These, it is believed, were the first who entered into the fellowship 
of Methodism in the place. To meet their spiritual wants, and to 
bring the blessings of the common salvation to as many as might 
be called of God through them, the ministers of Williamsburg cir- 
cuit had, with the consent of the magistrates, been preaching for 
some time in the county Court-House. But on the occurrence of a 
revival, limited in its influence and brief in its continuance, with no 
small stir of excitement and noise, the magistrates became alarmed, 
and forbade them the use of the house. They returned again to 
the common west of the present Capitol. At this juncture of affairs, 
Mrs. Parrott, who seems to have been a woman of deep piety and 
great perseverance, having a large stable on her premises, fitted up 
an apartment in one end of it, as a place for preaching. This 
Stable-Church was situated on Main street, just in the rear of the 
spot now occupied by the Mansion House. Here Mr. Askew com- 
menced his labours, as Preacher for Richmond and Manchester in 
1793 ; and many worthy men, among them M'Kendree, and it is 
believed Asbury, preached in that humble but blessed place of wor- 
ship. It soon became too small for the crowds desiring to hear 
these servants of the Most High God, and the magistrates again 
gave them permission to occupy the Court-House. In 1796, it is 
believed, Dr. Coke visited Richmond, and spent several days in 
nearly a vain effort to raise funds for the erection of a Church. 
He was only partially successful ; and after he left the city, an at- 
tempt to augment the amount by investing it in a business house, 
resulted in the loss of nearly all he had collected. From the Balti- 
more Conference of 1799, Bishop Asbury sent Mr. Lyell, a minister 
of fine address and popular talents, to the infant Society in Richmond. 
In those days religion was a very unfashionable thing in the metro- 
polis of Virginia. There were but two houses of worship in the cit)*- 
St. John's Church, on Church Hill, an old Colonial structure, had 
a resident minister, but he only preached in the Parish Church 
three times a year — at Christmas, and the Sunday of the Easter 
and Whitsuntide Festivals — just often enough to prevent the aliena- 
tion of the Glebe lands belonging to the parish. Once a month he 



• 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



481 



preached in the Capitol. There was also a small Baptist Church > 
regularly occupied, near the present site of the Penitentiary. Soon 
after his arrival in Richmond, Mr. Lyell commenced a subscription 
to build a Church. He also preached every Sabbath afternoon in 
the Capitol. His pleasing manners and oratorical powers soon 
made him a great favourite with all classes of citizens, and gave 
him success in his enterprise ; and before his year had expired, his 
Church was erected, dedicated; and, what was a strange thing for 
the times, opened for service three times on the Sabbath, and once 
at night, during the week. It was in this house Bishop Asbury 
preached his last sermon. The Society had increased, and it was 
soon blessed with a gracious revival of religion. The progress of 
the Church was subsequently arrested by uniting it with the circuit, 
and thereby depriving it of the healthful influence always found in 
connexion with systematic pastoral supervision. In 1808, Rich- 
mond was again mnde a station, and the Church was again pros- 
perous. Between this period and 1812, a new house of worship 
was erected in the western part of the city, distant nearly a mile 
from the church of 1800 ; and the Society numbered 256 whites and 
47 coloured. At this time the Methodists were greatly in advance of 
the other denominations. Within the period embraced in this nar- 
rative, about'1803, the Baptists had moved more into the city, and 
built a house of worship, on Broad street, now constituting the 
African Baptist Church. The burning of the theatre in 1811 gal- 
vanized the Common Hall into a semblance of piety, and with a 
supreme disregard of the rights of the whole people, they employed 
the public funds in puixhasing the site of the theatre, erecting a 
Monumental Church on its ruins, and subsequently presenting it to 
the exclusive use and ownership of the Episcopalians. In 1812, 
the Rev. John H. Rice was called by a few friends of the Presby- 
terian Church to reside in the city, and commenced preaching in 
the Masonic Hall, formed a Church, and erected a house in the 
valley, long known as the " Pine Apple Church ;" since owned by 
the Episcopalians, and called Christ's Church. Such is a brief 
statement of the condition of the four leading religious denomina- 
tions of Richmond, at the time Mr. Lee was appointed to the pastoral 
oversight of the Methodists in the city. 

On hi« return from the General Conference, he resumed his pasr 
31 



482 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



toral work with his usual diligence and devotion. With his col 
league he alternated, preaching at one Church in the morning, at 
the other in the afternoon. Pastoral visiting, and from house to 
house, was attended to by both ; but the government of the Church 
rested on his shoulders. One who knew him well at this period of 
his life, and was a witness of his labour in the ministry, bears the 
following testimony of his diligence and industry : " He was cer- 
tainly the most laborious Preacher we ever had. During the sum- 
mer months he constantly preached four times on the Sabbath, and 
attended meeting almost every night in the week. His practice 
was, when he preached on Shockoe Hill in the afternoon, immedi- 
ately after service in the Church, to go to Buchannan's Spring, 
where there was generally a large company of idlers, and mounting 
a table, he would preach a sermon appropriate to their circum- 
stances. And when he was in Old Town Church in the afternoon, 
after service, he would repair to a vacant lot opposite old St. John's, 
and beneath the shade of the venerable oaks, one of which is still 
standing, then occupying the place, he would gather the crowds 
from the grave-yard, and the houses near at hand, and preach the 
gospel of the grace of God with a full heart and a ready utterance." 
A gentleman capable of judging, said of his ministry : " When Mr. 
Lee commences his sermon, it always reminds me of the hoisting 
of the flood-gate of a mill ; there is one incessant pouring of the 
sweetest eloquence I ever heard from any man in my life." This 
is the general testimony of those who waited upon' his ministry. 
With such powers of pleasing, united to his deep experience of the 
things of God, it cannot surprise us to know that of those who, un- 
der the circumstances referred to, sought to while away a Sabbath 
afternoon, many were attracted to his side, and there learned duly 
to appreciate the things belonging to their peace in this world, and 
their safety in that which is to come. 

Besides these demands upon his time and strength, Mr. Lee also 
laboured to promote the spiritual interests of the convicts in the 
Penitentiary. From the completion of this Institution, and as soon 
as it was tenanted by prisoners, the Methodist ministers of Rich- 
mond had cared for their souls. In 1808 there were about one 
hundred and thirty in confinement; and the Rev. Stith Mead, 
then stationed in the city, took them under his especial supervision. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



483 



He either preached himself, or sent some one else to preach to 
them on the Sabbath. He also furnished them with religious 
books. It was not long before the good effects of this concern for 
their spiritual welfare began to manifest itself. A revival of reli- 
gion ensued, and many of the convicts, after deep penitence and 
sincere prayer, made a profession of religion, " and gave a very 
satisfactory account of a change of heart." Mr. Lee* says : 
" Prayer was attended to by them, in their rooms ; and they were 
frequently engaged in singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, 
as well as praying, until the whole circular building was made to 
rewound with the high praises of God. ... I visited them myself, 
and talked with many of them, and could not doubt of the reality of 
their profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ." Thirty or 
more are supposed to have made a good profession during this 
revival. The care thus commenced for these outcasts of society, 
had been continued by the successors of Mr. Mead ; and such a 
cause could not decline in the hands of Mr. Lee. He cherished 
for it the ardour of a sincere attachment, and sought even thereto 
build up the great temple of God, or to gather thence living stones 
for its strength and adorning. Hitherto the Methodists had met 
with no competitors for this crown of glory and rejoicing. They 
only visited Christ in this prison, and ministered unto him in his 
members. But others were to participate in this labour of love. 
Let us review the matter, since it presents Mr. Lee in a new and 
more interesting point of light. In 1812, the Penitentiary was one 
of the regular preaching-places of the Richmond station ; and 
accordingly it was supplied regularly either by Mr. Lee, his col- 
league, or one of the Local Preachers, of whom there were several 
very effective ones in the city. On one occasion, when one of 
these ministers reached the place he was surprised to find the Rev. 
Mr. Rice preaching to the convicts, but still more astonished when, 
at the close of his sermon, he told the convicts he was happy tc 
inform them that the Executive of the state was about to make 
arrangements to supply them with regular preaching. He then 
retired from the prison. After he left, the Methodist minister 
attended to his duty of ministration, and returning to the city 



* Hist. Methodists, p. 353-4. 



484 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



reported the affair to Mr. Lee. It was a matter of no small joy tc 
him to know that now at length the state, in the person of its Chief 
Magistrate, was about to evince a becoming attention to this neces- 
sitous class of its population. He determined, however, at once to 
fathom the matter, and acquaint himself with the mystery of this 
new zeal. Accordingly, the next day he waited on the Governor, 
and after stating his business, and showing the length of time the 
Methodists had been engaged in supplying the spiritual wants of 
the prisoners, he requested to know the nature of the arrangements 
about to be made for their future care. He was assured by Mr. 
Barbour that no arrangements had been made, nor would the Exe- 
cutive make any ; that he, Mr. Lee, might regulate the business as 
he pleased, as, in his judgment, it was a work of charity that be- 
longed exclusively to the ministry. Leaving the Governor, Mr. 
Lee addressed a note to each of the ministers of the different 
Churches in the city, inviting them to a conference on the subject. 
Two only complied with the invitation, the pastors of the Presbyte- 
ria^ri and Baptist Churches. After a full statement of the object of 
the meeting, the cause moving him to seek it, and of his interview 
with the Governor, and assuring them the Methodists had no desire 
to monopolize a work so important in itself and so full of benevo- 
lence in its aims and effects, he invited them to participate in the 
duty and glory of visiting these prisoners, and of carrying to them 
the water and the bread of life. This they consented to do, and 
each pledged himself to supply one Sabbath of every month ; and 
Mr. Lee agreeing to see the remaining Sabbaths filled. Perhaps 
the arrangement lasted two months — not longer ; the whole was 
devolved upon the Methodists, and was faithfully discharged for 
several succeeding years, when so many obstacles were thrown in 
the way of the service by the Superintendent, that even the perse- 
vering Methodists were compelled to abandon a field wherein they 
laboured with the dignity of a true zeal for " those for whom 
Christ died," and with a manly independence that looked for its 
reward not in the praise of men, but in the honour that descends 
from God. 

In September of this year, Mr. Lee attended a camp-meeting in 
one of the adjoining counties, below Richmond, and contiguous to 
James River. It was during the war, and a considerable number 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



485 



of merchant vessels had been run up the river to avoid the English 
cruisers hovering about the coast. The meeting was progressing 
in good style, when one night, after the service had concluded, 
and the people had retired to their tents, a large party of sailors, 
headed by a Captain Swift, and all well under the maddening 
influence of strong drink, came upon the ground, full of evil 
intent, and evidently determined upon a row. The ministers were 
all in bed ; but the noise made by the drunken sailors prevented 
all chance of sleep. It was midnight ; and instead of abatement 
of the disturbance, it rather grew worse. At this stage of the 
affair, Mr. Lee left his bed ; and inviting two or three others to 
join him, they hastily dressed themselves, and went out among the 
crowd. Others from the tents and the neighbourhood weie 
mingled with the sailors — a large and noisy crowd. Followed by 
his companions, Mr. Lee went into the stand ; and addressing the 
multitude, told them if they would come under the harbour -they 
would have a sermon. A burst of noisy merriment followed this 
announcement; but the leader, with a mock gravity, came in, and 
the rest accompanied him, and were soon seated. When all was 
still, Mr. Lee told the Rev. P. Courtney to preach them a sermon. 
Surprised, but willing, and not knowing whereunto the thing 
would grow, he complied, and took for his text the very appro- 
priate words : At midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang 
praises to God. He had not been long preaching, before a change 
came over the spirit of that reckless crowd of men. The dimly 
lighted grove, the hush of the night, the heavy tones of the 
Preacher's voice, the cold autumnal air, and the stupifying effects 
of their potations, soon induced drowsiness, and this was succeeded 
by the deep and dreamless sleep of drunkenness. The infection 
spread rapidly ; it was soon general ; all were asleep. The 
Preacher was careering on, midway in his discourse, when a pull 
at the tail of his coat brought him rather suddenly to a halt. 
" Stop !" said Mr. Lee. Then pausing to see if any missed the 
sound, and no one stirring, he picked up his hat, saying, " Softly ! 
— let 's go to bed," and led the way back to the tent. The next 
morning, chilled to the bone, and stiff in every muscle, the sailors 
might be seen bending over the camp-fires, with " curses not loud, 
but deep," against the man that befooled them, drunk as they 



486 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



were, into listening to a midnight sermon ! Ere the trumpet called 
the worshippers to public prayers, the sailors had -disappeared 
from the encampment, and came no more to disturb its hallowed 
employments. 

Other incidents, showing the nature of Mr. Lee's devotedness to 
duty, his address in the spiritual management of the Church, and 
his constant efforts to do good, while labouring in this city, might 
be given ; but they are scarcely necessary to the delineation of his 
character, and would swell the records of his life to an unreasona- 
ble extent. In the midst of his pastoral duties, in December, he 
received intelligence from Washington of his re-election to the 
Chaplaincy in the House of Representatives. The fact was as unex- 
pected to him, as the circumstances were creditable and gratifying. 
He had not sought the office, probably from a desire to " please his 
brethren for their good, to edification j" and certainly, because he 
could find in the pastoral relation, employment enough for all his 
energies of soul and body ; and he* was happy in his work. For 
this proof of respect and confidence from the Representatives of the 
people, he felt a sincere gratitude. But he felt an increasing inte- 
rest in his duties as a Christian pastor ; and at this period espe- 
cially, he was desirous of giving his whole time and all his powers 
to the service of the Church. In this state of mind, he for some 
time hesitated to accept the appointment ; but after seeking direc- 
tion in prayer, and taking the best counsel his circumstances would 
admit, he finally concluded to regard it as providential, and, as one 
of life's allotments, to enter upon its duties. With the privileges 
of social intercourse, and the appropriate daily and Sabbath duties 
of the office, he could get along well enough ; but the profanity of 
some of the members, and the customs and ceremonies sometimes 
demanded of the Chaplain, were a grievance to his righteous soul. 
On the occasion of the burial of a member, it was the office of the 
Chaplain to precede the procession on horseback, with white hat- 
bands and scarf floating in the wind, and trailing quite to his feet. 
This was a sore evil , a formality that found not a solitary element 
of affinity in his nature. He loathed it : and it constituted an addi- 
tional sorrow at every occurrence of the death of a member in his 
department of Congress. It is related as an incident of this portion 
of his history, that once, on the adjournment of Congress, he was 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



487 



returning to Virginia in a stage filled with members — and long 
since that period the road has been celebrated as the worst in the 
Union — and the stage settled in a mudhole so deep and adhesive as 
io defy all the strength of the horses to pull it out. In this state 
of the case the passengers had to leave the stage, and after prying 
it out, had to walk some distance to relieve it. On resuming their 
seats, the Chaplain had not succeeded in bringing his two hundred 
and fifty-nine pounds of flesh through the mud of the road-side. 
When he entered, and ere he was fairly seated, one of them asked, 
" where the Chaplain was when they were getting the stage out of 
the mud !" and a merry joke passed round at his expense. He bore 
it with great good humour till one of them said, " It was rather 
unkind of their Chaplain to 'stay with them when all was quiet and 
smooth, and then desert them as the storm and trial came on !" 
" Ah, gentlemen," said Mr. Lee, " I intended to help you, but some 
of you swore so hard, I went out behind a tree and prayed for 
you." The truth of the remark, and the mild honesty of the 
rebuke, had the effect not only to silence them for the time, but to 
vmpose a restraint upon their profanity the rest of the journey. 

In February, Mr. Lee attended the Virginia Conference in New- 
bern, North Carolina. Of the session, Bishop Asbury says: "We 
had great order, great union, and great despatch of business. The 
increase in membership, this year, is seven hundred : but, ah ! 
deaths and locations — then the Preachers !" Were the Preachers 
more choice in their appointments 1 Bishop Asbury once, while 
lamenting the decline of zeal in this Conference, was heard to say: 
" The time was, when if I said in the Conference, I want a 
Preacher to go to Boston or Maine, Jesse Lee would respond, 
4 Here am I ; send me.' Or to the Northwest Territory, William 
M'Kendree was ready." Doubtless the stock of such self-denying 
men was not entirely exhausted. The exigency of these times did 
not demand them. During this Conference, Mr. Lee preached a 
sermon, the recollection of which, for its character and results, yet 
lives in the community. His text was Acts xvii. 6 : These that 
have turned the ivorld upside down, are come hither also. His 
propositions were curious, and well calculated to attract the atten- 
tion of a promiscuous assembly, such as generally greets a great 
ministerial gathering. They were : " I. That when God made 



488 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



the world, he placed it right-side up. II. That by the introduction 
of sin, it has been ' turned upside down.' And, III. It is the 
business of the ministry to turn it back again to its original posi- 
tion." From these words, he taught the whole plan of saving- 
mercy. In thejirstj the purity and perfection of man in his origi- 
nal state. In the second, the awful and total depravity of the fall, 
" the corruption of the nature of every man, that naturally is 
engendered of the offspring of Adam." In the third, the gracious 
economy of the gospel, in the recovery of mankind by the atone- 
ment of Christ, and the ministry of reconciliation as ambassadors 
of God, preaching peace by the cross. Quaint as are the proposi- 
tions, the sermon was mighty through God. It produced a deep 
and living impression upon the minds of many. But a singular 
visible effect was attributed to it by certain men mighty in works of 
darkness. The next morning the town, through all its parts, pre- 
sented a laughable spectacle of things " upside down." Carriages 
and all kinds of vehicles were bottom up. Boats drawn from the 
water were lying about, keel uppermost. Small houses upturned, 
signs, boxes, gates, wrong-end foremost, upside down ; and, in a 
word, everything was out of fix, and the whole town was one 
scene of confusion. Some were fretted at the injury sustained; 
others had trouble and inconvenience ; but all seemed to enjoy the 
joke, especially when the supposed actors insisted that it was all 
done by the Preachers. " Didn't the Preacher say they were the 
men ' that turned the worlfl upside down,' " and had they not come 
here to put the town " right-side up !" This was giving his sermon 
a literal sense, and a 'practical application never contemplated 
by the Preacher ; and which is not yet forgotten by the elder citi- 
zens of Newbern. 

Mr. Lee was appointed to Brunswick circuit, but it is probable 
he spent very little time at his regular work, either during this or 
the succeeding year. In December 1813, he was again elected 
Chaplain, and continued in Washington during the winter ; and at 
the extra session, in May 1814, he was again installed as pastor of 
the House of Representatives. This session continued until August ; 
and, on the reassembling of the regular Congress in December, he 
was elected Chaplain to the Senate. While not occupied at the 
Seat of Government, engaged in the important duties of his station 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



489 



made more especially so by the critical and anxious condition of 
the country, in the midst of the disastrous war with Great Britain 
he busied himself in filling his appointments on his respective cir- 
cuits. In February 1814, Conference was held in Norfolk. We 
find no records of importance to the Church, in the very brief 
notices of its proceedings that have fallen under our observation. 
That there were " debates" in the Conference, and " strifes" in the 
Society, that occasioned " sorrow of heart" to many faithful ones, 
is perhaps so certain, that it is better to leave them among forgotten 
things, than to quicken them into life by searching too narrowly 
into their history. Let them sleep, without hope of resurrection. 
At this Conference, Mr. Lee was appointed to the " Cumberland 
and Manchester" circuit ; but, as already stated, a large portion 
of the year was spent in his public duties in Congress. During 
this year, he brought through the press two sermons : one, a fune- 
ral discourse, preached in commemoration of the pious devotion 
of Miss Hardy, of Bertie, North Carolina ; the other, on the duty 
of Christian watchfulness. Both are good ; the latter excellent — 
replete with sound views of the subject, exhibiting a clear perception 
of religious experience, and abounding in just and solid admoni- 
tions as to the importance of the duty, and the great danger 
of neglecting to " watch in all things." This was a favourite 
subject with Mr. Lee ; and his sermon was a compendium of his 
own daily observance of the duty ; and of its blessedness to his 
own soul in keeping alive the flame of a devout and joyous com- 
munion with God. In the records of bis life during the years 
here so summarily despatched, we find all the traits of that deep 
and uniform piety of heart, and all the proofs of an anxious and 
supreme desire to do good, for which his life heretofore has been 
so eminent. Holy love was a vestal fire that, from its first kin- 
dling, had sent its pure flame through every pulse of his life. 
Watching unto prayer, and " looking unto Jesus the author and 
finisher of faith," were the heaven-inspired means of keeping alive 
the holy fire in the holy place of his heart. In life's youthful 
prime it had been placed on the altar of his soul ; in manhood's 
trials and troubles it had burned with an ever-during brightness ; 
and now that he was descending the vale of years, its light was 



490 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



about his path, and the valley of the shadow of death was growing 
bright in its beams. 

In February 1815, the Virginia Conference was held in Lynch- 
burg. During the session, Bishop Asbury stated it as the wish of 
the people of Baltimore that Mr. Lee should be sent to labour in 
that city ; and he gave it as his own conviction that it was the most 
appropriate and promising place for the exercise of his ministry. 
The statement did not elicit remark, and it passed off as a mere 
expression of opinion, without any thought that it was to enter into 
the arrangements for the year. The Bishop, who was quite indis- 
posed during the Conference, was scarcely able to read out the ap- 
pointments, and he devolved- that duty upon the Rev. J. Early. To 
the surprise of the reader and the Conference, the name of Mr. Lee 
was not in the appointments. In a note at the foot was the follow- 
ing announcement : " Jesse Lee will receive his appointment at the 
Baltimore Conference." Surprised, but neither mortified nor 
offended, but yet only acquiescing upon the ground of the state- 
ment made in the Conference, Mr. Lee maintained a manly silence, 
except that he approached the reader, and asked, "Is that right?" 
referring to the fact o f being transferred without notice or consulta- 
tion. Still, it is believed, he was willing to comply with what he 
and others regarded as the object of the Bishop in removing him 
from a Conference to which he was so strongly attached, and in 
which he was so deservedly held in the highest estimation. In a 
few weeks he received a letter from the Baltimore Conference, in- 
forming him he was appointed to Fredericksburg. This arrange- 
ment was contrary to all the expectations he had been led to enter- 
tain ; it was a total disappointment, and he refused to accede to the 
plan. This was the first and only instance of his life, in which he 
refused obedience to those who had the charge and government 
over him. But the case, in view of all the circumstances, will 
admit of a very strong plea in its justification. Yet, as he did not 
justify it, although at first he believed he was right in refusing, and 
as he subsequently deeply regretted the act, especially as it might 
prove an evil example to the younger ministers, we will unite in 
regretting the refusal, and forbear either to extenuate or defend it. 
But 'a just regard to an after fact in the history of Mr. Lee, will 
not allow us to leave the subject at this point. Mr. Lee was not a 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



491 



member of the General Conference of 1816 ; ancUhe fact, however 
it may have affected the Church, is traceable directly to this act of 
the Bishop. After his removal from Virginia, his brethren there did 
not feel free to elect him as their representative ; and it is believed, 
upon very creditable authority, his transfer to the Baltimore Con- 
ference was anything but pleasing to those who aspired to be leaders 
in the body, and their whole influence would very naturally turn 
against the election of one who, to the disadvantage of being a new 
comer, superadded that of a class of talents, experience in legisla- 
tion, and general popularity, that would make him, like Saul, " a 
head and shoulders" higher than his compeers. After making due 
allowance for human nature, it cannot surprise us that Mr. Lee was 
left out of that delegation. But we must advance a step further in 
the history of this affair : Mr. Lee never ceased to believe that it 
was to prevent his election to the General Conference of 1816, that 
he was transferred from among his brethren to membership among 
comparative strangers. It is due to his memory to state the fact. 
But we are under no obligatiou to maintain its correctness. Indeed, 
at this distance of time, and possessed of facts that may never have 
come to his knowledge, and under influences not only less exciting, 
but freer from prejudice, we can examine the subject with more 
calmness and greater freedom of investigation. We have already 
seen in a preceding chapter, that the residence of Mr. Lee in Wash- 
ington was displeasing to his brethren of the Conference, and there 
is good reason to believe that it was to provide for this contingency 
that the Bishop wished to place him contiguous to the seat of go- 
vernment; and that he was frustrated in his purpose to station him 
in Baltimore, by the influences heretofore referred to as opposing 
his return to the General Conference. We must admit the fact of 
an honest but mistaken conviction, on the one side ; or embrace an 
opinion, on the other, repugnant to all our views and feelings of the 
integrity of the Bishop, and not authorized by any known act of 
his life. Acknowledging the right of the Bishop, under our eco- 
nomy, to transfer, we yet think it ought never to be done without 
the consent of the party: and in the case before us, we are persuaded 

.: <«*S*- ~~ , F " " » 

i t ought n £^J ph^vebeen done at all, after it was found that the 
implied engagement as to fhe place of labour could not be complied 
with. It was this, rather than anything else, that caused Mr. Lee, 



49-2 



THE LIFE AXD TIMES OF 



The only time in his life, to hesitate in obeying the directions of his 
chief pastor. 

But. although he persisted in his refusal to go to Fredericksburg, 
he was not idle. From choice he retired from an office in Con- 
gress, which he had occupied so many years with equal credit to 
himself and satisfaction to the representatives of the nation. It 
should no longer be a stumbling-block to his brethren. If he might 
" please them for their good to edification," in a less promirient 
sphere of life, he would " choose it rather." and thereby give them 
a proof of his humbleness of mind that would rebuke while it en- 
lightened, and subdue while building up in the strength of fervent 
faith and swelling joy. During the year he was diligently employed 
in travelling and preaching through the Meherrin district, assisting 
those in charge at their appointments, and filling many made ex- 
clusively for himself. He extended his visit to Norfolk, and finished 
the Ecclesiastical year on the Brunswick circuit, acting as the sub- 
stitute or colleague of the Rev. C. S. Mooring. It was in the latter 
part of this year Mr. Lee became conscious that his health was fail- 
ing. He was more easily effected by changes of the weather, and 
more frequently afflicted. After mentioning a night of indisposition, 
he says : ' ; These afflictions of the Lord are designed for my good, 
perhaps, to give me notice that my departure is at hand. Lord 
sanctify them to my spiritual welfare." As the winter came on, 
his afflictions increased, he was confined to bis room, and compelled 
to resort to medicine. But he was unmoved by these premonitions 
of dissolution. In all of them he committed himself unto " God, 
as unto a faithful Creator." 

It was during this year that an incident occurred which exhibits 
Mr. Lee's character in a most interesting point of light, and power- 
fully portrays the effect of "a soft answer in turning away wrath." 
Lntil within a few years, this anecdote was known only to a few of 
his immediate relatives. That it may lose nothing of its interest, 
we establish its authenticity. It was communicated to a member 
of the family, under the following circumstances, by the individual 
most involved in the affair. Some few years since, a nephew of 
Mr. Lee, engaged in some business transaction in a store in Peters, 
burg, Virginia, and being addressed as Mr. Lee, attracted the atten- 
tion of an aged gentleman. General Pegram, at the same time in the 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



493 



store, who immediately accosted him, and asked if he was a kins- 
man of the Rev. Jesse Lee. On being informed that he was a 
nephew, the old General said he had long desired to see some mem- 
ber of the old minister's family, in order to communicate a circum- 
stance that once occurred between himself and Mr. Lee. On being 
assured that it would afford him pleasure to hear anything concern- 
ing his venerable relative, General P. proceeded to relate in sub- 
stance the following narrative : 

" When I was a young man, I went to hear Mr. Lee preach at 
Meeting-House. There was a very large crowd in attend- 
ance, and a great many could not get in the house. Among others, 
I got near the door ; and being fond of show and frolic, I indulged 
in some indiscretion, for which Mr. Lee mildly but plainly reproved 
me. In an instant all the bad feelings of my heart were roused. 
I was deeply insulted, and felt that my whole family was disgraced. 
I retired from the crowd to brood over the insult, and meditate 
revenge. It was not long before I resolved to whip him before he 
left the ground. I kept the resolution to myself; and watched, 
with the eager intensity of resentment, the opportunity to put it in 
execution. But the congregation was dismissed and dispersed, and 
I saw nothing of the Preacher. How he escaped me I could 
never learn. I looked on every hand, scrutinized every departing 
group ; but saw nothing of the man I felt I hated, and was 
resolved to whip. I went home sullen, mortified, and filled with 
revenge. My victim had escaped me. But I ' nursed my wrath 
to keep it warm ;' and cherished the determination to put it into 
execution the first time I saw Mr. Lee, although long years should 
intervene. Gradually, however, my feelings subsided, and my 
impressions of the insult became weaker and less vivid ; and in 
the lapse of a few years, the whole affair faded away from my 
mind. Thirteen years passed over me ; and the impetuosity of 
youth had been softened down by the footprints of sober manhood, 
and gradually approaching age. I was standing upon 4 the down- 
hill of life.' On a beautiful morning in the early spring, I left my 
residence to transact some business in Petersburg ; and on reaching 
the main road leading to town, I saw, a few hundred yards before 
me, an elderly looking man jogging slowly along in a single gig. 
As soon as I saw him, it struck me, ' that's Jesse Lee.' The name. 



494 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



the man, the sight of him, recalled all my recollections of the 
insult, and all my purposes of resentment. I strove to banish 
them all from my mind. I reasoned on the long years that, had 
intervened since the occurrence; the impropriety of thinking of 
revenge, and the folly of executing a purpose formed in anger, 
and after so long a lapse of time. But the more I thought, the 
warmer I became. My resolution stared me in the face ; and 
something whispered coward in my heart, if I failed to fulfil it. 
My mind was in a perfect tumult, and my passions waxed strong. 
I determined to execute my resolution to the utmost; and full of 
rage I spurred my horse, and was soon at the side of the man that 
I felt of all others I hated most. 

" I accosted him rather rudely with the question : ' Are you not a 
Methodist Preacher V 

" ' I pass for one,' was the reply, and in a manner that struck 
me as very meek. 

" 'An't your name Jesse Lee 1 ?' 

" £ Yes ; that's my name.' 

" 1 Do you recollect preaching in the year at 

Meeting-House V 
" { Yes ; very well.' 

" ' Well, do you recollect reproving a young man on that 
occasion for some misbehaviour V 

" After a short pause, for recollection, he replied, ' I do.' 

" 6 Well,' said I, ' I am that young man ; and I determined that 
I would whip you for it the first time I saw you. I have never 
seen you from that day until this ; and now I intend to execute my 
resolution, and whip you.' 

" As soon as I finished speaking, the old man stopped his horse, 
and looking me full in the face, said : 4 You are a younger man 
than I am. You are strong and active, and I am old and feeble. 
I have no doubt but if I were disposed to fight, you could whip me 
very easily ; and it would be useless for me to resist. But as a 
" man of God I must not strive." So, as you are determined to 
whip me, if you will just wait, I will get out of my gig, and get 
down on my knees, and you may whip me as long as you please.' 

" Never," said the old General, " was I so suddenly and power- 
fully affected. I was completely overcome. I trembled from head te 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



foot. I would have given my estate if I had never mentioned .the 
subject. A strange weakness came over my frame. I felt sick 
at heart; ashamed, mortified, and degraded. I dismounted, took 
his hand, and with tears begged him to forgive me for having 
treated him so rudely and unworthily.* This he did with great 
cheerfulness, and soon made me feel at ease in his company. We 
rode together to town ; and there he would not allow me to leave 
him, taking me, by a persuasion I could not resist, to the house of 
his brother, and entertaining me there, until my business was con- 
cluded, with the cordiality of a long-cherished friendship. We 
parted with deep emotion on my part ; I to my family, he to his 
Master's work. I have never seen him since. He has long since 
passed away from the earth ; and has reaped the reward of the 
good, the gentle, and the useful, in a world where * the wicked 
cease from troubling, and the weary find eternal rest.' 

" I am now old ; few and full of evil have been the days of the 
years of my life, yet I am not now without hope in God. I have 
made my peace with Him who is the Judge of ' the quick and 
dead :' and hope ere long to see that good man of God with feel- 
ings very different from those with which I met him on that pain- 
fully remembered morning." 

The old man ceased his narrative. A glow of satisfaction 
spread over his features, and tears stood in his eyes. He seemed 
as if a burden was removed from his heart — that he had disen- 
cumbered himself of a load that had long pressed upon his spirits. 
He had given his secret to the near relative of the man he had once 
intended to injure, but whose memory he now cherished with feel- 
ings akin to those that unite the redeemed to each other, and bind 
the whole to " the Father of the spirits of all flesh." 

At the Virginia Conference, held in Raleigh, January 24th, 1816, 
Mr. Lee took an affectionate leave of his brethren, and repaired to 
Georgetown, D. C., the seat of the Baltimore Conference, from 
which, according to his transfer, he was determined to take his 

* This was first published by me in the Richmond Christian Advocate, 
March 10, 1842. And it has been copied, with my permission, into " Sketches 
and Incidents," by the Rev. A. Stevens. In both, however, there is an essential 
error, as to the flight of General Pegram. The true version, as since corrected 
by my informant, is given in the text. 



496 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



appointment. Exceptions were taken against him here, by some 
one, for his failure to fill the appointment of the preceding year. 
But he denied their jurisdiction over the town of Fredericksburg, as 
it was not within their territorial limits ; and even if he was amena- 
ble to them, they had no right to. prescribe work for him beyond 
their jurisdiction. Properly, at the time, and by fair construction 
of the law denning the boundaries of the Conferences, Fredericks- 
burg was in the Virginia Conference.* And, apart from the diffi- 
culty growing out of his unconsenting transfer, he refused to be 
considered responsible to them for failing to attend an appointment 
to which they could not claim just ownership, or legitimate autho- 
rity. The justness and force of his reasoning may be inferred 
from the fact that, at the ensuing General Conference, the subject 
of the boundary was brought under notice, and the words, " except 
Fredericksburg," added to the law defining the bounds of the Vir- 
ginia Conference. 

At the close of this Conference, Mr. Lee was stationed in Annapo 
lis, the capital of the state. In a few days he was at his appoint- 
ment, and commenced his ministry by a discourse from Josh. v. 14. 
And he said, Nay ; but as CaptoAn of the host of the Lord am 1 
now come. In this sermon he defined at some length, and with 
great pains, the rights, powers, and duties of the Captain of the host 
of the Lord ; compared the office with that held by Joshua ; and 
from the whole pointed out. the office and work of a minister while 
in the pastoral work — caring for " the host of the Lord." Upon 
this subject he described his own duties, and what the people had a 
right to expect from him, and what w r ere their rights and privileges 
as members of the host. In conclusion, he told them to remem- 
ber especially, in their manifold relations, and mutual duties, that 
he was Captain ! As Captain and servant, devoting himself with 
untiring zeal for their spiritual welfare, he entered upon his pasto- 
ral relations and duties ; preaching, attending class and prayer- 
meetings, and visiting the flock at their own homes, filled up nearly 
all the intervals of time that could be spared from important per- 
sonal duties. Though he was in the downhill of life, and not as 

* In 1796, the "Northern Neck" was included in the Baltimore Conference. 
4nd although it supplied Fredericksburg, yet it was not legally in its bounds 
mtil 1816. 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



497 



robust in health and strength as in former years, yet, with special 
reference to his spiritual engagements, it may be said, " his natural 
force was not abated." His heart was still young, his feelings 
ardent, and his desire " to do good and to communicate," as un- 
quenchable as when, in his early ministry, he waded through snow- 
drifts in New England to notify the people of his intention to preach 
at candle-light. 

In the midst of these arrangements for a year of toil for the good 
of Zion, and in the buoyancy of hope that God would mercifully 
visit the Church with his quickening influences, he was grieved to 
jiear of, and united to bewail the great loss of the Church in the 
death of Bishop Asbury. This mournful event took place on Sun- 
day, the 31st of March, 1816, near Fredericksburg, Va. For some 
time his health had been failing. Yet he stopped not in his travels 
and duties till the wheels of life stood still. His last sermon was 
preached in the old Methodist Church, in Richmond, on the prece- 
ding Sabbath, from Rom. ix. 28. He was so infirm that he had to 
sit on a table during its delivery ; and was compelled frequently to 
pause for the recovery of his breath, yet he preached nearly an 
hour. It was a solemn scene. The audience were deeply affected. 
There are some yet lingering behind who recollect the occasion and 
its impressiveness. In the death of the Bishop, Mr. Lee felt as if 
a friend had been smitten down at his side. " The estimation in 
which he held the character of this great and good man may be 
seen in the following extract of a biographical sketch which he wrote 
and published soon after he received the news of his death." After 
stating the date of his birth, entrance in the ministry, arrival in 
America, consecration as Superintendent, &c, Mr. Lee proceeds to 
give the annexed eulogy of his character : 

" In February 1785, he visited Charleston, South Carolina, for 
the first time. In 1787, he was the first time called Bishop, in the 
Form of Discipline. He acted as Superintending Bishop for thirty- 
one years and a few months ; in which time he attended about two 
hundred and seventy Conferences, and appointed all the Preachers 
to the different circuits. It is supposed that he ordained, in all, 
three thousand ministers, including Travelling and Local Preach- 
ers. He travelled through seventeen of the United States, and 

some of the territories. He was always of a slender constitution 
32 



498 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



and yet never spared himself, but ventured through the greatest 
difficulties and dangers, in order to preach to the people and attend 
to the Preachers. He was an excellent Preacher ; and his gift in 
prayer was exceedingly great. He was deeply pious, remarkably 
fervent and constant in prayer. His peculiar talent was for govern- 
ing the Preachers, and taking care of the Church of Christ. He 
generally rose early in the morning, travelled many miles in a day, 
preached often, and slept but little. He was generally known 
throughout the United States, much esteemed, and greatly beloved. 
His presence was generally courted, his advice requested, and his 
directions attended to. It pleased God to spare him for many 
years ; and, at last, to give him an easy, safe, and happy passage 
out of this world. And his numerous friends have no room to 
doubt but that their loss is his infinite gain. He has not left 
behind him many, if any, to equal him in the Church to which he 
belonged. And notwithstanding his loss is, and will be greatly 
lamented, we have full confidence in the Lord that he will take 
care of and provide for his Church." 

One of the first acts of the General Conference of 1816, was 
to provide for the removal of the body of the deceased Bishop to 
Baltimore, and its interment there in its last resting-place, under 
the pulpit in Eutaw Street Church. On this occasion a large pro- 
cession, composed of the ministry and laity of the Church, followed 
the remains from the Conference room to the place of sepulture, 
where a sermon was preached by Bishop M'Kendree, and the body 
was lowered into the grave, to 

" Wait God's voice to rouse its tomb, 
With sweet salvation in the sound.' 5 

Mr. Lee, with a deep and profound sorrow, united in these funt 
ral rites. Mr. Thrift, who walked with him in the procession, 
says : " The scene was solemn and impressive. Mr. Lee's coun- 
tenance bespoke the emotions of his mind. A dignified sorrow, 
such as veterans feel, while following to the grave an old compa- 
nion in arms, was evinced by his words and countenance. They 
had suffered together, and had long fought in the same ranks ; the 
one had gained his crown, the other was soon to receive it." In 
the rear wall of the building, on the outside, a marble tablet may 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



still be seen, bearing a simple but just inscription to the memory 
of the first, and still unsurpassed, Chief Pastor of the American 
Methodist Church. It is in these words : 

SACRED 
TO THE MEMORY OF 
THE REVEREND FRANCIS ASBURY, 
BISHOP OF THE 
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

He was born in England, August 20th, 1745 ; 
Entered the Ministry at the age of 17 ; 
Came a Missionary to America, 1771 ; 
Was ordained Bishop in this city, December 27th, 1784; 
Annually visited the Conferences in the United States ; 
Witli much zeal continued to " preach the word," 

FOR MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY ; 

And 

Literally ended his labours with his life, near Fredericksburg, Virginia, in the 
full triumphs of faith, on the 31st of March, 1816, 
Aged 70 years, 7 months, and 11 days. 
His remains were deposited in this vault, May 10th, 1816, by the General 

Conference then sitting in this city. 
His Journals will exhibit to posterity his labours, his difficulties, his sufferings, 
his patience, his perseverance, his love to God and man. 

Though, for reasons heretofore mentioned, Mr. Lee had not the 
honour of membership in the General Conference, he was not an 
indifferent spectator of its proceedings. He waited upon its ses- 
sions with the anxiety of one who knew the interests at stake, and 
who greatly desired the prosperity and holiness of the Church. 
We may not follow its daily history. One only subject will we 
introduce, one with which Mr. Lee was identified, and whose his- 
tory we desire to keep parallel with his, at least till the close of 
this session, and thus show its condition at the time of the death 
of one of its warmest friends and ablest advocates : We mean the 
Presiding Elder question. On the 7th of May, Samuel Merwin 
offered to amend the Discipline, respecting the mode of appointing 
Presiding Elders, so as to read : 

"Ques. 1. How shall the Presiding Elders be appointed? 



500 



THE LIFE AND TI3IES OF 



li A)is. At an early period of each Annual Conference the 
Bishop shall nominate a person for each district that is to be sup- 
plied ; and the Conference shall without debate proceed in the 
choice, the person nominated being absent ; and if the person 
nominated be not chosen according to nomination, the Bishop shall 
nominate two others, one of whom it shall be the duty of the Con- 
ference to choose. 

"Ques. 2. By whom shall the Preachers be appointed to their 
stations 1 

u Ams. By the Bishop, with the advice and counsel of the Pre- 
siding Elders." 

Subsequently, the Rev. Xathan Bangs offered to amend the first 
answer by adding to it the following words : 

i; And the Presiding Elder so elected and appointed shall remain 
in office four years, unless sooner dismissed by the mutual consent 
of the Bishop and Conference, or is elected to some other office by 
the General Conference. But no Presiding Elder shall be removed 
from office during the term of four years without his consent : 
unless the reasons for such removal be stated to him in presence 
of the Conference, which shall decide without debate on bis case." 

In the close of the discussion, the whole subject was lost by a 
vote of 42 to 60. Thus showing a considerable majority on the 
rigid side of the question, although confessedly, we believe, not on 
the strong side in the debate. 

To supply the lack of service occasioned by the death of Bishop 
Asbury. and to meet the constantly augmenting demand upon 
Episcopal labour in every section of the Church, the Conference 
resolved to strengthen the Episcopacy by the addition of two 
Bishops. And the fact that Rev. Messrs. George and Roberts 
had the one 57 votes out of 106, and the other 55, will show, if not 
the unanimity of the body, their generally acknowledged' worthi- 
ness, and the high appreciation of their characters by the Confe- 
rence. Their long, laborious, and useful lives constitute a sufficient 
justification of the selection. 

After the General Conference, Mr. Lee returned to his station, 
and resumed his labours with greater diligence than ever. From 
the grave of his old companion and friend a voice of quickening 
came to his soul, crying, What thou doest, do quickly ! The night 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



501 



is far spent, the day is at hand. It was a voice from the wilder* 
ness — Prepare ye the way of the Lord. It came to stir up his 
energies, to stimulate his zeal, to inflame him with love for those 
for whom Christ died. It came with its light, and joy, and hope, 
to cheer him in his toil, and open to his vision of faith the vast 
reward that waited him, when he too should pass through the gates 
into the Holy City — the residence of those who shall be counted 
worthy to be kings and priests unto God. But, while striving 
with his utmost zeal to build up others in the faith of Christ, 
he could not forget the pressing claims of his own soul. He 
needed the full clothing of salvation ; his house must be garnitured 
with holiness ; the garments he would wear in unfading whiteness, 
must be washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. In- 
stinct with zeal for others, is there no danger of overlooking one's 
own personal growth in grace 1 He knew there was ; and he 
feared to encounter the dangers crowding the Watchman's path, 
without frequent retirement for holy meditation and humble prayer. 
As he neared the long solitude of the grave, he grew fonder of 
retiring from the busy scenes of life ; and alone, freed from the 
turmoil and confusion of the thronged city, to give himself up to 
quiet meditation. Some of those who, at this period, shared his 
pastoral care, resided in the country adjacent to Annapolis. It was 
his delight to visit them ; and in the seclusion of their families, and 
in the shade of the old forests about these venerable homesteads, 
he could find the opportunities for quiet retirement that he always 
loved, and now so greatly desired. A saint in town, is twice a 
saint in the country . It was the custom of our fathers to retire 
to the woods at the close of the day, whenever their circumstances 
allowed it, for the purpose of prayer. Here, at the footstool of the 
Highest, with the heart modulated by the harmonies of nature, and 
the feelings all quickened by the hymning worship that, in the hush 
of the twilight, ascends softly and sublimely to the throne of the 
Creator, the man of earth catches the' echoes of the coming eter- 
nity, and mingles his own voice of praise with " the concord of 
sweet sounds," ascending up to God from everything that hath the 
imprint of His hand — a symphony of holy and joyous worship. 
In these peaceful retreats, he spent as much of his time as his 
pressing pastoral engagements would allow ; and here he sought 



502 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



full conformity to the image and will of God. And cften, as the 
deepening shades of night came down on the horizon, there was 
light in his soul, and his heart sung sweet songs of joy in anticipa- 
tion of soon finishing his sojourn in the wilderness. Indeed, he 
was on the bank of the river, the Promised Land was in sight, and 
the path through the waters was opening at his feet, brilliant with 
celestial glory. 

Thus occupied between holy duties and heavenly exercises, he 
continued to fill his pastoral engagements until the middle of x4ugust, 
with great usefulness to the people, and increasing comfort to his 
own soul. On the 15th, in the evening, he preached, perhaps, his 
last sermon to his flock, on 1 Cor. xv. 33 ; a solemn and most im- 
pressive warning against the bad influence of evil associations. A 
few days after this, he left Annapolis for the purpose of attending a 
camp-meeting, near Hillsborough, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. 
On Thursday, the 22d, he preached for the first time at the camp- 
meeting, from the 1 Pet. ii. 5. It was a profitable discourse — en- 
couraging the faith of Christ's people, and edifying the hearts of 
those who were looking for the promise of His coming to redeem 
and save. On the afternoon of Saturday, he again preached. His 
text was: But grow in grace — 2 Pet. iii. 18. - This was a 
favourite text with him, and it was his last." His public work was 
done. Henceforth, in the few days that remained to him, he could 
only glorify God by suffering, and in the powerful influence of a 
holy death. The sermon had a very happy effect upon the multi- 
tude of worshippers, especially upon those who " as lively stones" 
were built upon " the Chief Corner-Stone." Soon after preaching, 
he was taken with a chill, which in turn was succeeded by a high 
fever. A restless night on the camp-ground aggravated the dis- 
order, and he was so much worse on the next day, it became neces- 
sary to remove him. He was carried to Hillsborough, to the hospita- 
ble and Christian home of Mr. Sellers, where everything that medical 
skill could suggest, or friendship perform, was attempted to mitigate 
his sufferings, and prolong a life, yet in the noontide of its power and 
glory, to the Church. But all was ineffectual. He was summoned 
to a higher position, a holier fellowship. In the first periods of his 
illness he was depressed in spirits — a cloud was passing through 
the sky of his soul. He said but little, too profoundly occupied 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 503 

with the matter of his personal safety to commune with aught be- 
side his own heart and God. For the first time, perhaps, he was 
alone in his own individuality before God ! and he felt the dreari- 
ness of a solitude that had no Christ within its circle. He was 
feeling for Him, and quietly waiting for the promised guidance 
through the valley of the shadow of death. He was in its 
darkness, its waves were rushing against him, and its tide bear- 
ing him onward to the sea. But there was light on the dark 
waters — a star came out on the horizon and shone full-orbed upon 
his soul. It was the bright and morning star. And there it shone 
till the sky of his soul was refulgent in its beams. For several 
days preceding his death, he was filled with holy joy. Frequently 
he cried out, " Glory, glory, glory ; Hallelujah ! Hallelujah ! Jesus 
reigns !" On another occasion he spoke with great distinctness 
and deliberation for nearly twenty minutes, giving directions as to 
his affairs, and sending the assurance that " he died in the Lord," 
to comfort the hearts of his distant family. Nor did he forget his 
fellow-labourers in the Lord. " Give my respects to Bishop M'Ken- 
dree," he said, " and tell him I die in love with all the Preachers ; 
that I love him, and that he lives in my heart." Having thus fin- 
ished his work, he said but little more. Calm and composed as 
hope on the bosom of bliss, he resigned himself into the hands of 
God, and quietly as an infant sinks to repose on the breast of its 
mother, he fell asleep on the evening of the 12th of September, 1816. 

In the language of the official Minutes, " It is unnecessary to 
eulogize one, whose labours have extended almost from one end of 
the United States to the other. 

" Our deceased brother was a sound, orthodox Methodist Preacher ; 
and, allowing for the infirmities of human nature, one who sincerely 
endeavoured to promote the glory of God, and the happiness of 
mankind. 

" We have no doubt he has entered into rest. — that he now par- 
takes of that happiness to which he endeavoured to lead others, 
and if we are faithful we may expect to meet him on that elerna. 
shore, ' where all is calm and joy and peace.' " 

Such is the brief but comprehensive testimonial of the moral 
worth and useful life of a departed brother, given by those whom 
he had led forth to deeds of religious heroism ; and at whose side 
he had often and valiantly " contended for the faith once delivered 



504 THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 

to the Saints." But he was not. His work was done. A voice 
from the Upper Sanctuary had said, "It is enough : enter into thy 
rest, and s't down at my side." Gladly he obeyed the summons ; 
and joyously he wears the white robe, and sings the new song of 
heaven. 

The remains of Mr. Lee were interred in the old Methodist bury- 
ing-ground in Baltimore, and there they still " rest in hope ;" waiting 
till summoned from the dust of the earth, a spiritual body, like unto 
the glorious body of Christ. A plain marble slab bears this in- 
scription : 

IN MEMORY OF 

THE REV. JESSE LEE. 

Born in Prince George County, Va., 1758: 
Entered the Itinerant Ministry of the M. E. Church, 1783 ; and 
Departed this life September 1816, 
Aged 58 years. 

A man of ardent zeal and great ability as a minister of Christ, 
His labours were abundantly owned of God, 
Especially in the New England States, in which he was truly the 
Apostle of American Methodism. 

Our task is nearly completed. A few reflections, suggested by 
a desire to give practical direction to the impressive facts of the 
preceding narrative, is all that remains to the fulfilment of our self- 
assumed and cheerfully performed duty. We have traced the 
course of one whose life, in an eminent degree, was consecrated to 
the work of righteousness. From childhood's sunny morn to 
manhood's evening ray, we have followed his toilsome and self- 
sacrificing career ; and witnessed, in all its forms and phases, his 
" labour of love." In the cabin of the frontier emigrant, in the halls 
of wealth and refinement, in his long solitary rides, in the hours of 
his heart's holy devotion, in the strife of tongues, in the presence of 
multitudes, in the pulpit, in the class-room, in debates on the floor 
of Conference, in public and in private, when men gazed on him 
and when no eye but God's rested upon him ; in all circumstances 
we have been witnesses of the thoughts and intentions of his heart. 
He has affected no concealments, nor sought, in apparent mysteries, 
':o hide real deformities of character. No, all is pure< We have 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



505 



seen, in the outward clothing, the inward workings of the mind. 
And we turn from the study of a character so frank, generous, and 
noble, from a life so unselfish, laborious, and useful, to inquire into 
the causes moving him to a self-sacrifice so magnanimous as marks 
the chastened outline and fills up and perfects the brilliant picture 
we have been examining. The answer, to a Christian mind, like the 
picture itself, is without matter for marvel or mystery. The cause 
operating to produce a character so unique, and results so worthy of 
commendation, is to be found in that work of the Spirit by which his 
soul was brought into a life-long sympathy with the sufferings of 
Jesus Christ ; a sympathy that filled him with love for those for whom 
Christ tasted death, and animated him with a quenchless desire to 
seek and save them. In this the secret spring of all his movements 
is developed. Here the mystery begins and terminates. In the 
presence of his identity of feeling with the Saviour of sinners, all 
is made plain ; and we find, not only reason for his devotion, but 
an ample justification for his well-tempered and growing zeal. But 
we may analyze the subject, and, reducing it to its elements, still 
find the same distinct outlines and general results. The work of 
the Spirit, to which we refer as the great impulsive cause of all 
his motions, may be clearly traced in the elevated purity of his 
religious principles, the tenderness of his pious feelings, the satisfy- 
ing evidences of a special designation for the ministerial functions, 
and in those natural endowments of " soul, body, and spirit," which 
distinguished him from others, and marked him pre-eminently as a 
man amongst men. Let us, for the sake of a better examination, 
enlarge these elementary views of his character ; and see in minia- 
ture the more prominent features of the full-sized portrait spread 
over the preceding pages. 

1. His Conversion and Religious Experience. — It was while 
he was yet in the bloom and freshness of youth that he entered 
into covenant with God. In the fifteenth year of his age he was 
brought to the perception of his condition as a sinner. Conviction 
for sin — consciousness of guilt in the sight of God — was wrought 
in his heart by the Holy Spirit. It was not a transient impression, 
such as mere natural causes operating upon some peculiar phase 
of the mind produces, but a strong and abiding conviction of sin- 
fulness and guilt, exciting fear, and foreshadowing condemnation. 



505 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



He was in constant dread of the penalty denounced against sin. 
During the prevalence of these feelings he was thoughtful and sad. 
A cloud was on his spirits. He walked in darkness, and saw no 
light, except such as gleamed from " the wrath of God revealed 
from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men." 
The revelations of this wrath shed a baleful light upon the path of 
Jife. Forced to remember his Creator, he thought of Him with 
dread. Compelled to look into his own heart, he saw only corrup- 
tion and guilt ; the one enlivening his fears, the other destroying 
his hope. His soul was in great distress ; and sorrow and fear held 
him as in the embrace of giants. The record of his feelings shows 
his distress to have been verv great, causing him to forsake his 
customary pursuits, to turn away from the gay circle of social life, 
and in solitary places and holy exercises to seek after God. Young 
as he was, he felt himself to be a great sinner. And he feared 
there was " no place of repentance" for him. But " he sought it 
carefully with tears," and was mercifully led to find " peace and 
joy in believing." The bitterness of that " godly sorrow," how- 
ever strong and permanent the consolation that succeeded it, never 
faded away from his remembrance. It was a gate of grief to his 
soul that, having once passed, he never desired to recross. It was 
a hill of difficulty up whose painful path he had carried a burden 
of sin, and on whose summit he stood " weary and heavy-laden." 
But once reached, it was his purpose never to descend ; but thence- 
forth to maintain an onward and upward course through all the 
fields of duty, till heaven should recompense his pains in the eternal 
redemption of his soul. 

A sense of sin so deep and absorbing, a penitence so profound 
and pervading as marked the rise of religion in his soul, could 
scarcely issue in anything short of a thorough change of heart. 
In the progress of this work of grace, his mind was enlightened 
to discern the things of the Spirit ; his moral feelings were 
quickened into a new spiritual life, and the whole nature was 
renewed in righteousness, and " transformed in all its powers." 
His conversion was a genuine birth of the Spirit ; a new birth, in 
which the old man was crucified, and all things were made new. 
He was born of God, and knew God, and loved God ; for God is 
love. The love of God was shed abroad in his heart. It was 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



507 



upon this foundation he built the temple of God in his soul, and 
garnished it with the " gold, silver, and precious stones," of a 
most cheerful and devoted obedience. " Wood, hay, and stubble," 
were not allowed to sully the fair proportions, or diminish the 
strength of his Christian edifice. Hence his Christian life was a 
progressive improvement upon " the first principles of the oracles 
of God ;" his experience of the things of God was sound, ex- 
pansive, and joyous. Christ was formed in his heart ; and the 
portrait was perfect and life-like. His was a cheerful piety ; he 
was Christ's freedman, and Christ was " all in all" to him. 
Allegiance to Christ was the law of his life ; and it was his delight 
to do the will of God. These views of his religious character are 
authorized by all the facts of his interesting and impressive history. 
His life was a cheerful offering of himself to duty. Labour was 
rest, and pain was sweet, if Christ was glorified by the toil or the 
suffering. Beyond this he seems to have had no desire. His 
ambition was to do good ; careless as to where, how, or to whom 
it was to be done. If he might glorify Christ, Christ might choose 
the place, and prescribe the means. , It was this " sacrifice and 
service of faith" that made him strong in the Lord, and caused 
him always to rejoice in Christ Jesus. His dying transport was 
only a higher quality of the daily comfort with which he always 
triumphed in the God of his salvation. 

It is good to " remember our Creator in the days of our youth." 
The history we are reviewing furnishes a thousand stirring illus- 
trations of this sound doctrine of the Bible ; and is replete with 
entreaties to follow him as he followed Christ. From every period 
of his history there comes a commendation of the blessedness, both 
for safety and consolation, of an early assumption of the yoke of 
Him who was " meek and lowly in heart." His industrious and 
useful career speaks out with a voice of deep and solemn import to 
all who, in early life, would lay a good foundation for a manhood 
of usefulness, and an age of quiet and holy enjoyment. 

" If thou would' st reap in love, 

First sow in holy fear : 
So life a winter's morn may prove 

To a bright endless year." 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



Is it not so 1 Youth is the seed-time of life. Seed then sown 
" in holy fear," may spring up in after years, and yield a harvest 
of rich and precious fruits, whose gathering-time shall be " the 
years of the right hand of the Most High." 

2. His Call to the Ministry. — Perhaps no Church surpasses, 
in the strictness of its views and the comprehensiveness of its 
proofs of the spiritual qualities of the ministry, the one at whose 
altars Mr. Lee offered himself as a sacrifice and a servant. She 
recognises the right of appointment to the office as residing in the 
great Head of the Church. Her place of action and responsibility 
is on a lower platform. " Send by whom Thou wilt send," is the 
signification of all her measures to ascertain those who are truly 
called of God " to the office and work of the ministry." She 
neither gives the call nor provides the qualifications requisite to the 
work. Her fullest measure of proof, and highest standard of quali- 
fication, were met and satisfied when Mr. Lee came forth from the 
ordeal, and claimed the right to be a " worker together with God" 
in the " fields already white unto harvest." It was no spiritual 
knight-errantry that prompted him to a work so full of difficulty 
and danger ; nor could love of ease or fame mingle in the emo- 
tions that led him to seek the path of duty amidst scenes of con- 
stant sacrifice and exhausting toil. He was "inwardly moved by 
the Holy Ghost," and every external circumstance assumed the 
character and wore the form of the inward and spiritual conviction. 
The manifestations of a" special designation for the holy office are 
apparent in the earliest periods of his religious experience ; even 
before he himself was sensible of " what the Spirit of Christ that 
w r as in him did signify." He was slow of heart to believe there 
was any place for him in the ministry of the Lord Jesus. It was 
after severe self-scrutiny, sincere prayer for heavenly direction, 
and many fears of taking a wrong step, that he allowed him- 
self to think of the ministry as a probable future engagement. 
Subsequently, as he yielded to the heavenly calling, and improved 
in moral stature, his mind turned to it as a possible allotment of 
life; and this, in turn, was succeeded by a desire, fervent and strong, 
to testify the gospel of the grace of God as the only effectual mode 
of satisfying a class of feelings that linked the work of the minis- 
try with the destination of his own soul ; and compelled him to 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



509 



regard it as the only appropriate way in which he could glorify 
God and do good. And when the darkness was all past, when 
doubt and fear were superseded by conviction, then was every 
energy of his nature quickened into vigour and activity, and he 
was ready always and everywhere to fulfil the ministry he had 
received, by every mode of manifesting the glory of God in His 
willingness to save. Thenceforth he was " not his own." Life^ 
with its high aspirations and holy deeds, was devoted to the work 
whereunto he " was called of God." The toil and self-sacrifice 
that filled the measure of his days are the testimonials of his 
fidelity " to Him that appointed him." It is to no one act that the 
mind turns for the proof of his allegiance to Christ. The eye 
rests not even upon the nature of his services, or the number and 
magnitude of his efforts to bring men to experience the saving 
power of the gospel ; but in the simplicity, singleness of heart, and 
supreme devotedness of every faculty and sense to the one object 
of his life, it perceives the elements of an integrity and earnestness 
that commands its reverence and kindles its raptures. His inten- 
tions and efforts to fulfil his ministry were transparent as crystal, 
and pure as gold. No analysis would have detected an impurity. 
In the condensed outline of his toils and travels given in the pre- 
ceding pages, we have witnessed his zeal for God, his burning 
desire to " make full proof of his ministry." But still the narra- 
tive, as a record of daily duties, will be found meagre and unsatis- 
fying, except in so far as it serves to suggest the probable multitude 
of his unrecorded efforts to do good and save souls. In view of 
what is written, how much of his life must have been a servitude to 
the welfare of others : How little seems to have been reserved for 
himself! From what we know of his feelings and habits, we may 
well say of his ministry — the half has not been told ! Into how 
many families, at how many bed-sides of sickness and sorrow, 
must he have carried instruction, and offered fervent prayers ! To 
how many must he have spoken words of warning and comfort 
in the more than eight thousand sermons, and nearly six hundred 
public exhortations he delivered in the course of his ministry. In 
labours abundant, and full of charity and zeal, how strongly does 
his fidelity to his holy calling remonstrate with our indifference, 
and appeal to our hearts, as his sons in the gospel, to emulate his 



510 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



success by copying his example, — an example that places him next 
to Asbury in the greatness of his labours, and second perhaps to 
none in the success with which they were owned and blessed of 
God. 

3. His Qualifications for the Ministerial Work. — These 

were varied and peculiar ; but, for the sake of brevity, we may 
classify them as natural and spiritual. 

Few men have possessed better natural endowments than Mr. 
Lee. Physically and mentally, he seems to have been eminently 
fitted for the peculiar work to which, in the order of Divine Provi- 
dence, his entire life was devoted. H^s constitution was robust and 
strong. And, notwithstanding his portly size, he was remarkably 
active, and capable of great, endurance. We find him always ready 
to go where duty called him, regardless of climate or season ; and 
never hear him complaining of toil or fatigue. History seldom pre- 
sents to our contemplation a more industrious evangelist, a more 
laborious pastor, or a more diligent Preacher of the word of life. 
In all these respects, his example is eminently instructive and full 
of encouragement. Nor can we fail to discover a combination of 
singular mental qualifications for the extraordinary circumstances 
in which he was called to fulfil his ministry. An analysis of his 
mind would present it as clear, strong, and comprehensive ; a strong 
common sense, a quick preception, a great power of combination, and 
an exquisite sense of the ludicrous. In these elements originated 
the wit that formed so prominent a feature of his character while 
living, and is still remembered with so much tenacity, and referred 
to with so much interest in hours of social ease and freedom of in- 
tercourse. And to the same combination of mental qualities must 
we trace those attributes of zeal and usefulness for which, in 
every period 6f his Christian course, he was so eminently dis- 
tinguished. His steady love of truth ; his ready perception and 
easy exposure of error and false doctrine ; his facility of rebuke 
or sympathy, as circumstances demanded ; his life-long habits of 
industry and perseverance, seem to have been first given, and then 
brought within circumstances adapted to their spiritual dev elope- 
ment and maturity, for precisely such a purpose as was served b) 
the ministry of Mr. Lee. Who that follows him in his daily sacri* 
fices, trials, and oppositions of " unreasonable and wicked men,' 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



611 



in New England, can fail to discover that he was not only emi- 
nently, but almost exclusively endowed for the spread of pure 
religion in that land so fertile of formalism and false doctrine? 
Who that follows him in his rapid travel from place to place, and 
witnesses his unflagging zeal and indomitable energy and perse- 
verance, can hesitate to believe that God raised him up, and gave 
him his rare qualities of mind and powers of endurance, for the espe- 
cial purpose of carrying the word of the gospel to those who were 
in the region and shadow of death 1 And yet we find in his whole 
evangelical career no hesitation or reluctance ; no shrinking back 
from duty; no disposition to seek a less laborious field of toil. 
Indeed, he counted not his life dear unto himself, so that he migh/. 
testify the gospel of the grace of God. It was a positive joy to 
carry salvation to them that had it not. When such occasions 
offered, he " rejoiced as one that taketh great spoil." 

But we may also trace the developement of these peculiar phy- 
sical and mental qualities, in the formation of his popular character 
as an able minister of the New Testament. One of his contem- 
poraries speaks of him " as the best every-day Preacher in the 
Connection." Among so many very excellent Preachers as graced 
the period in which Mr. Lee laboured, this is no ordinary praise. 
But he rarely preached otherwise than well. A commanding pre- 
sence, combined with a clear, strong, and musical voice, of great 
reach and compass, and not easily broken, contributed very mate- 
rially to the efficiency of his ministry. And when to these we 
add a mind endowed as his was, and cultivated by patient and 
careful study of the Scriptures, we may see the causes of a popu- 
larity that reached to the limits of the Church, and increased even 
to the close of life. Mr. Lee had no holiday sermons, trimmed 
and embellished for popular applause, on great public occasions. 
Preaching was to him a divinely instituted means of saving souls 
and he could employ it for no other purpose. It was no plaything 
to please men's tastes, or gratify their imaginations. The gospe. 
w T as a message from God, that, received in meekness of faith, 
brought life into the soul ; but, refused and rejected, left guilt and 
condemnation behind it. The possibility of its proving a " savour 
of death unto death' to any, made him always earnest and affec- 
tionate ; literally persuading sinners, even with many tears and 



512 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



entreaties, to be " reconciled to God." His ardent nature would 
naturally excite a deep sympathy for those who were ready to 
perish, and stir up all the energies of his soul, if by any means 
he might bring them to the knowledge of salvation. 

But these were adventitious elements of his ministry. Importan 
as manner may be in the estimation of popular taste, and as dis- 
tinguished as Mr. Lee was for attractiveness and propriety of man- 
ner, it is, after all, to the doctrines he preached, and God's blessing 
upon them, that we are to look for the causes of his success, as 
well as of his general popularity. It is not a sufficient testimonial 
of his character to say he was orthodox. He was more than 
sound in doctrine. He was evangelical in his views of the gospel, 
and in his mode of presenting those views to the people. His 
texts, and the discourses founded upon them, were always of a 
peculiarly practical character. If he discoursed of doctrines antago- 
nist to those of his own faith, it was still an evangelical and prac- 
tical exposition of " the truth which is according to godliness." 
We have illustrations of this in his controversial sermons. 

Sometimes, it is true, with the whole force of his zeal for truth, 
he would reason out of the Scriptures against the " high mystery 
of predestination ;" and at others, in the vehemence of his feelings 
against its pernicious effects in hardening the heart, he would affirm 
that God had sworn to its falsity in declaring He had " no plea- 
sure in the death of a sinner !" But this was out of his ordinary 
course of proceeding. He knew it was the truth that made the 
people free — the truth as it is in Jesus — and he preached it with a 
joyous confidence as a means of salvation. Repentance, faith in 
Christ, the joy of believing, the willingness of God to save, these 
were the subjects on which he delighted to dwell in every place 
and period of his ministry. They were experimental verities to 
his own soul ; and he believed they were full of comfort for all. 
In a ministry instituted for the recovery of mankind from sin, and 
their restoration to the favour of God, no doctrines should have 
greater prominence than these. Based upon the great doctrine of 
atonement by Jesus Christ, and recognising every man as inte- 
rested in that work of redemption, they offer to all a free and full 
salvation. In a word, justification by faith, and its concomitant 
doctrines, were the themes of a ministry that was everywhere so 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



513 



fruitful of blessings, and especially in New England. In the days 
of Edwards this doctrine received a prominence that, despite of 
" the doctrines of grace," or of " eternal decrees," was effectual in a 
most gracious and extensive revival of religion. But it had been 
made to stand by for a more stern and speculative system of teach- 
ing, and all was in the valley of the shadow of death. But God 
had mercy upon the people, and raised up and thrust out a work- 
man whom no opposition could intimidate ; whose zeal always 
" waxed valiant in fight," and whose sole trust was in God and 
the truth and goodness of his cause. With such resources, and 
such energy of character, how could he fail of success? He did 
succeed. His clear expositions of Scripture, his felicity of illustra- 
ting important truths, his simple earnestness of manner, and forci- 
ble eloquence of words, attracted multitudes wherever he went, and 
gave an impressiveness to his ministry that it was difficult to resist. 
His preaching was "not in the words which man's wisdom teach- 
eth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth ;" and hence the " faith" 
of those who were given as seals to his ministry, did not "stand 
in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." The Societies 
collected out of the world through his faithful labours, bore the 
" image and superscription" of Christ ; and they were lights, 
leading, by the truth of their doctrines and the purity of their lives, 
to the "fountain for sin and uncleanness." These are his wit- 
nesses ; and, of his " ripeness of knowledge," earnest zeal, and com- 
mendable fidelity to all the demands of his holy calling, they give 
no uncertain sound. 

But in forming an estimate of the qualifications of Mr. Lee for 
the work of the ministry, we must not omit properties of a spirit- 
ual nature, not yet brought into view with sufficient distinctness. 
We are not now referring to his regeneration, nor even to his sub- 
sequent and life-long acquaintance with God. These are facts full 
of beauty and strength in support of any claim he might put forth 
for authority to " do the work of an evangelist." But as facts 
merely, we have here no need to discuss them. We choose rather, 
and for the sake of enlarging upon a topic that pressed itself upon 
our thoughts at nearly every stage of the work we are bringing to 
a close, — we choose, even at the risk of being called fanciful, to 
consider his personal piety and special call to the ministry, as sub 
33 



514 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



ordinate, not only to the effectual working of the Spirit, but to the 
effects, on himself and his preaching, superinduced by the presence 
and power of these very facts. Personal regeneration and a Divine 
call are facts in the experience of Mr. Lee. But facts and the 
effects of facts are different things. We are pleading for the living 
spirit and power of these facts in directing and influencing the 
efforts put forth in fulfilment of his ministry. Perhaps we mav 
present this matter in a better light by considering its developements 
in his character, and on his labours. 

First. In producing entire confidence in his own integrity of 
heart. His eye was single. His motives, desires, feelings, were 
all " perfect, and right, and pure and good." He was assured of 
this as a. fact. And it was a powerful spring of action. His heart 
did not condemn him ; and he had confidence toward God, and in 
himself. Having no guile, he had no misgivings : and his soul was 
not held back from duty by a secret fear, or gnawing distrust. 
" All things" that purity might desire, and integrity seek after, 
" were possible" to this faith. Is it possible to estimate the influ- 
ence such a sense of confidence exerts over one's actions and feel- 
ings ? Measure it by any standard, and it stretches away bevond 
the laws of investigation, but compels our submission as one of the 
elements of the power by which the world is to be subdued to the 
obedience of Christ. Are there not continual manifestations in the 
life of Mr. Lee, of the presence of this sense of self-rectitude, and 
of its power in promoting his efforts to do good ? Do we not per- 
ceive, wherever he was, in what work soever he was engaged, he 
had ever a sense of his own unselfish sincerity animating him to 
duty, and really gracing its performance? Under the force of this 
principle of self-integrity, difficulties insurmountable to ordinary 
men fled at his approach, and success and triumph hastened to meet 
him. Its presence made hope brighter, love purer, and faith 
stronger : and under this spiritual combination his efforts to do good 
were more steadfast, his self-sacrificing obedience more cheerfully 
rendered, and his desire of success more invincible and enterprising. 
The conquest of souls to Christ was an infallible consequence. It 
were a violence of our religious sense to anticipate failure. Before 
this view of the subject, as a manifestation of spiritual qualification 
for the work of the ministry, is rejected or ridiculed, let the ques- 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



515 



tion, as to the force, of a sense of guilt and sinfulness in paralyzing 
or preventing efforts to do good, be considered and decided, and we 
shall await the award with entire confidence that it will confirm 
and strengthen the opinions we have stated above. So far, then, 
as a consciousness of being rightly employed in the right work can 
give strength to faith and vigour to effort — and it is a most power- 
ful agent of success — Mr. Lee had an element of usefulness that 
doubt could not weaken, nor distrust paralyze ; and which waxed 
braver and stronger under the pressure of obstacles and discou- 
ragements. How could he fail to do good 1 

Secondly. In producing confidence in his efforts as specially 
authorized by God. We have seen his exercises of mind while 
striving to settle the question of being "truly called of God.'"' 
Even then he had so secured our confidence in his integrity of 
character, as to satisfy us that selfishness would have no place in 
the decision he might reach. We felt he was called long before he 
was satisfied as to " the mind of Christ." But when conviction 
did come to his soul, it was a life-long realization of God's 
authority in him, and power over him. He neither doubted as to 
what God would have him to do, nor hesitated as to the doing 
of it. It was this ever-present sense of authority to act and speak 
in the name of God, and " for the promoting of His glory," that 
made his ministry a manifestation of power. He felt himself to 
be " a messenger of Christ," commissioned to turn " men from 
darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God.' 
It was not merely his duty to preach, but his right by preaching 
to save souls. In his humble but strong view of the office he was 
called to fill, he believed it authorized him to say and feel, and to 
act under the force of the conviction that, " the Spirit of the Lord 
is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel 
to the poor ; He hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach 
deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind ; 
to set at liberty them that are bruised ; to preach the acceptable 
year of the Lord." " The Spirit of Christ which was in him 
did signify," by ail its voices and impulses, that he was " chosen 
and ordained to bring forth fruit" in the regeneration of souls. 
And nothing short of the conversion of sinners could meet his 
sense of the " necessity that was laid upon him" to preach, or 



516 



THE LIFE AND TIMES OF 



satisfy the demands of his conscience for a fruitfulness in the min 
istry that God had authorized him to " seek and find," to " ask 
and receive." How else could he "fulfil the ministry he had 
received of the Lord Jesus to testify the gospel of the grace of 
God ?" Or how else meet the demands of Divine expectation that 
" counted him faithful, putting him into the ministry ?" The com- 
mand was, " Go, work in my vineyard ;" go, thrust in the sickle, 
for the harvest of the world is ripe ; go out into all the earth, and 
as ye go, preach. Could he hear such words as these, and then 
come again without bringing sheaves with him ? Then life had 
been a seed-time of tears, and he had never known the joy of har- 
vest. But he went, and came, and his hands were full of the 
fruits that bless the co-labourer with God. 

Thirdly. In producing supreme confidence in the efficiency of 
preaching to save sinners. The gospel was, in a peculiar sense, 
the power of God. It was a deposite of God's power and grace 
for salvation to them that hear and believe. The gospel, preached 
in faith and affection, was obliged to save. Salvation was its sole 
object ; and, as Mr. Lee reasoned and believed, it must " accom- 
plish that whereunto it was sent." God's word is, shall. It 
shall accomplish. This was its voice in the heart of Mr. Lee; 
and he believed the word that was spoken. His soul reposed upon 
the Divine efficiency of the gospel, as upon a rock. And when he 
preached, he felt that " a dispensation of the gospel" was commit- 
ted to him. He not only believed in it as a system of truth and 
righteousness, but believed it was in his hands, as God's servant, 
an instrument of salvation — that through it, he could save souls. 
This conviction animated all his views of his office, and prompted 
obedience to all its duties. His preaching was a declaration of his 
purpose to be " clear of the blood of all men." " The Word of 
God, quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword," he 
would thrust, by the power of preaching, to the very heart of sin. 
He sought no other helps to save souls, no persuasives to piety, 
but such as were authorized by a simple and supreme reliance 
upon " the preaching of the cross." This was a fortress stronger 
than "the munition of rocks;" a magazine full of the weapons 
of his warfare. He would employ no other instrument. If this 
did not save, sinners must perish, since the gospel prescribed no 



THE REV. JESSE LEE. 



517 



other means of saving souls from death. But what a power was 
hereby placed in his hands ! With what zeal for God's glory did 
he employ it ; and to how many redeemed and rejoicing souls was 
it a savour of life unto life ! 

It is in these things we perceive the peculiar qualifications for a 
ministry always laborious, and ever fruitful in winning souls to 
Christ. If it demanded extraordinary toils, it yielded extraordinary 
comforts. If it conveyed the blessings of salvation to them that 
received it as a message from God, it left riches of grace in the 
heart of him that " sowed precious seed beside all waters." Others 
may have felt and acted differently, but their views and feelings 
were not the standard by which he measured his own trusts and 
responsibilities. To his own Master he was to stand or fall. He 
was fully persuaded in his own mind of his right to preach, and ot 
the power of faithful preaching in accomplishing the end for which 
Christ died. And the history of his life gives its uniform testimony 
to this fact, that, in his personal joy of salvation, and in fidelity 
" to Him that appointed him" a messenger of Christ, he held " the 
beginning of his confidence steadfast unto the end," — linking the 
first-born joy of forgiveness with the victor-shout of his triumph 
over the last enemy of man. 



THE END. 



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